Ebola in India: SC directs government to screen passengers from affected countries

What if the Ebola virus came to India? Well, that might not be a very pretty picture. In an attempt to protect the population of India, the Supreme Court issued notice to the central government on a P

By: Editorial Team | | Updated: August 30, 2014 12:33 pm

What if the Ebola virus came to India? Well, that might not be a very pretty picture. In an attempt to protect the population of India, the Supreme Court issued notice to the central government on a PIL (Public Interest Litigation) seeking direction that passengers coming on international flights from Ebola-affected countries in African be screened to ensure that they are free of deadly virus. A bench of Chief Justice R.M.Lodha, Justice Kurian Joseph and Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman was urged for direction that the government should take immediate steps for the screening of passengers on the flights from affected countries and to take adequate steps to prevent and cure the deadly epidemic. (Read: Ebola in India: Indian-origin scientist finds possible therapy for Sudan Ebola virus (SUDV)) Also Read - Guinea declares first Ebola outbreak since 2016, confirm three deaths

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Petitioner Vineet Dhanda also sought putting in place all the facilities at the airports to isolate and treat the possibly-affected travellers from these countries to avoid infection. He also sought the direction that the central as well as the Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, West Bengal, and Delhi governments to take steps to maximise the spread of information about deadly epidemic to create awareness throughout the country. Dhanda, in his PIL, told the court that the epidemic has been declared as Global Health Emergency by the World Health Organisation, as the outbreak of virus is moving faster than it can be controlled.(Read: Ebola in India: 821 passengers being screened for Ebola)
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The virus has mainly spread to the countries like Guinea, Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and a few other countries in west Africa where 45,000 Indians are living, it said. Fearing for their lives, Indians from these countries have started rushing back to India, he said, expressing apprehension of the possibility of these people being infested with the deadly virus and sneak into the country without being screened by the expert health personnel at the airports. Pointing out that about 1,500 people have died after being affected by Ebola, the petitioner said: ‘International passengers are travelling to India from these Ebola-affected nations and no check whatsoever is being done by the government authorities to properly screen the passengers of possible virus infection.’ (Read: WHO believes Ebola will affect 20,000 people in West Africa)

Ebola virus causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, prognosis and prevention

The Ebola virus was first seen infecting humans in African countries; especially Sudan. But now, the virus seems to have gripped the world’s interest due to its destructive potential. Snuffing out the lives of almost 80% of the population that suffers from the disease, Ebola hemorrhagic fever is definitely a condition that has the capability to infect millions. In order to help you stay safe from this deadly disease, here are all your questions about the condition answered.

What is it?

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.

How is it transmitted? What are its causes?

According to scientists there are five different types of the virus, all of which have the potential to infect humans. According to the WHO (World Health Organisation) this disease can be transmitted from close contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected animals. In humans the disease can be transmitted by the following methods:

Coming into contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of an infected person.
Healthcare workers may contract the disease through transmission as well through contact with infected bodily fluids.
Handling the meat from infected animals.
Contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person who has passed away.

To know more read Ebola virus causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, prognosis and prevention)

With inputs from IANS

Image source: Getty Images

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Published : August 30, 2014 10:33 am | Updated:August 30, 2014 12:33 pm

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