Two Sudanese Nationals Isolated in Hyderabad Over Suspected Ebola Infection

Health authorities in Telangana have stepped up surveillance after two Sudanese nationals with fever-related symptoms were admitted to isolation facilities at Gandhi Hospital in Hyderabad and tested for possible Ebola virus infection.

The latest case involves a 20-year-old Sudanese student who was shifted to Gandhi Hospital from a private medical facility on Thursday evening after developing a fever. Hospital officials said the student's condition has improved significantly, with the fever subsiding by Friday morning. A person who accompanied him has been advised to remain in home isolation as a precautionary measure .

In a separate incident, a 35-year-old Sudanese national who arrived at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport on Thursday was also admitted to the hospital's dedicated isolation ward. The man had travelled to the city for knee surgery and was found to have a fever during routine thermal screening at the airport.

Doctors said his temperature has since returned to normal and he is not currently exhibiting symptoms associated with Ebola. Blood samples from both individuals have been sent for laboratory testing, and the patients will remain under observation until the results are received.

The suspected cases have prompted heightened vigilance among health authorities , although officials stressed that no Ebola infection has been confirmed so far .

As part of its preparedness measures, the Telangana government has established a dedicated 10-bed isolation ward at Gandhi Hospital to manage any suspected cases and prevent potential transmission.

With concerns over Ebola outbreaks in parts of Africa, Hyderabad airport authorities have already implemented enhanced screening protocols in line with advisories issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Passengers arriving from high-risk regions , including Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighbouring affected areas, are required to complete a self-declaration form before landing. Thermal screening and other precautionary measures are also being carried out to identify travellers showing symptoms of infectious diseases.

According to the World Health Organization, Ebola is a severe and often fatal viral disease that affects both humans and animals. The virus is believed to originate in wildlife, particularly fruit bats, and can spread to humans through contact with infected animals.

Human-to-human transmission occurs through direct contact with blood, bodily fluids, organs or tissues of infected individuals. The virus can also spread through contaminated materials such as clothing, bedding and medical equipment that have come into contact with infected patients.

Health officials have urged the public not to panic and emphasised that precautionary monitoring and testing are standard procedures whenever travellers from affected regions present with symptoms such as fever.