Ebola in India: Hyderabad airport deploys four medical teams to screen passengers

Screening for Ebola at international airports all over the country is getting stronger. Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) at Shamsabad, suburb of Hyderabad, sets ups four teams of doctors to screen travellers coming from West Africa Ebola-hit countries.

According to Jupaka Mahesh, Senior Regional Director (Regional Office for Health and Family Welfare) and Airport Health Organisation Chief , the teams are working round-the-clock to ensure careful examination of suspected Ebola cases by checking their travel history and symptoms. He mentioned that any passenger detected with warning Ebola symptoms like fever, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, joint and muscle aches, among others, would be kept in the isolation ward at Gandhi Government Hospital here where a nodal doctor has been posted.

The screening started ten days ago and as of now 150 passengers from Western African region have been screened. There has been no case of the disease yet, confirmed one of the senior doctors. The medical teams are also informing passengers about the outbreak through awareness campaign at the RGIA coming from the West African countries after the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the epidemic an international health emergency.

What is ebola virus?

The Ebola virus disease (EVD), formerly known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever is a severe condition caused by a virus from the Filoviridae family. Known to be a condition that is transmitted from animals to humans, this virus spreads through direct contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person or animal.

Here are some preventive measures for people who cannot avoid traveling.

• If you're taking medication for any infectious diseases and if you're currently suffering from viral flu, you should avoid traveling before complete recovery. When you're suffering from an infection, your immunity weakens. This could be a good opportunity for the virus to attack you.
• Older people, young peers and pregnant women should not travel at all. They have a high risk of acquiring infection.
• Those who are traveling should be extra careful about their diet. Eat a balanced diet. Avoid junk food and under-cooked food, especially meat.

Following precautionary measures for travelers.

• In any case, avoid handling items that you suspect have been contaminated, especially blood or body fluids.
• Avoid contact with other people and avoid visiting hospitals where treatment for Ebola is being given. Read more about Ebola Virus Travel Tips Precautions you should take

With inputs from PTI

(Read: Ebola virus causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, prognosis and prevention)

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