The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) in Mumbai has heightened vigilance in response to the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) declaration of an Ebola outbreak in parts of Africa. While there is no current Ebola outbreak in India, the BMC is taking proactive measures to prevent the virus from entering or spreading within the city. Kasturba Hospital has been designated as the primary isolation facility for potential cases of viral haemorrhagic fever, equipped with strict isolation protocols.
A 10-bed isolation ward has been established at Kasturba Hospital, Mumbai’s specialized infectious diseases center. Additionally, an 8-bed isolation ward has been set up at Cama Hospital in the city. Mumbai’s Deputy Mayor, Sanjay Ghadi, assured the public of the BMC’s readiness and urged against panic, stating that adequate arrangements have been made at Kasturba Hospital and will be replicated in other hospitals soon.
The BMC has issued directives to major municipal medical colleges like KEM, Sion, Nair, and Cooper hospitals to prepare their teams and implement readiness protocols. The Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) has provided guidelines on infection prevention and control practices for medical staff, emphasizing hand hygiene and adherence to waste disposal laws to prevent accidental contamination. Ebola spreads through direct contact with infected blood, bodily fluids, or contaminated surfaces, unlike airborne diseases like COVID-19. Frontline workers are advised to stay prepared without causing unnecessary alarm.
