Indira Gandhi International Airport has issued a public health advisory for passengers arriving from or transiting through Ebola-affected countries. Travellers displaying symptoms of the disease are urged to promptly report to health authorities at the airport. The advisory, shared by Delhi Airport on social media platform X, is based on guidelines from the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) under the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Passengers coming from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan, identified as high-risk countries by the World Health Organization (WHO), are covered by the advisory. Those experiencing symptoms like fever, vomiting, weakness, fatigue, or unexplained bleeding are instructed to report to the Airport Health Officer or health desk before immigration clearance. Additionally, passengers who have had direct contact with a suspected or confirmed Ebola patient must inform health authorities at the airport.
Travellers who develop symptoms within 21 days of arrival are advised to seek immediate medical attention and disclose their recent travel history to healthcare authorities. Delhi Airport emphasizes the importance of passengers cooperating with health screening and public health measures to ensure passenger safety and compliance with International Health Regulations (IHR).
The health advisory comes amidst heightened global concern regarding Ebola outbreaks in parts of Africa. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has reported 131 suspected deaths and 513 suspected Ebola cases in the latest outbreak. DRC Health Minister Roger Kamba noted that the deaths occurred in affected regions, with not all fatalities necessarily linked to Ebola. Jordan recently announced a temporary ban on travellers from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda due to Ebola-related worries in these countries.
