Amid rising concerns over the Ebola outbreak in parts of Africa, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has directed airlines to strengthen precautionary measures, including mandatory in-flight announcements and collection of self-declaration forms from passengers arriving from or transiting through affected countries.
The DGCA has released a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) aimed at improving public health preparedness and response to Ebola cases. Airlines operating direct or indirect flights connected to Uganda and Congo have been instructed to ensure passengers complete self-declaration forms before disembarking.
Carriers mentioned by the regulator include Air India, IndiGo, Akasa Air, Emirates, Air France, Etihad Airways, Egyptair and KLM, among others.
Under the new advisory, airlines must make announcements during flights asking passengers experiencing symptoms such as fever, body weakness, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhoea, rash, or bleeding to immediately inform cabin crew and report to medical authorities upon arrival.
Passengers and crew members, regardless of nationality, will also be required to submit self-declaration forms at designated counters after landing.
The SOP further outlines measures for handling suspected Ebola cases onboard aircraft. If a passenger shows symptoms during a flight, they should be shifted to the rear section of the aircraft, while nearby rows should remain vacant where possible. Aircraft carrying suspected cases must also be parked in isolated bays after landing.
Airlines have additionally been instructed to maintain adequate stocks of triple-layer masks, PPE kits, disposable gloves, hand sanitisers, and biohazard disposal bags for use during emergencies.
Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda on Monday stated that no Ebola case has been confirmed in India so far and reviewed preparedness measures being taken across the country.
Meanwhile, a 28-year-old woman from Uganda who recently arrived in Bengaluru from an Ebola-affected region has been admitted to the state-run Epidemic Diseases Hospital as a precautionary measure after developing mild symptoms, including body ache.
Health officials said her samples have been sent to the National Institute of Virology for testing, and a repeat test will also be conducted as per protocol. Authorities confirmed that her condition remains stable.
According to officials, the woman had initially been staying at a hotel before being shifted to the designated hospital for observation. Health teams are closely monitoring her condition.
The World Health Organization had earlier declared the ongoing Ebola outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda a “Public Health Emergency of International Concern” on May 17.
Following the global alert, the Karnataka Health Department advised travellers returning from affected countries to monitor their health for 21 days and seek immediate medical attention if symptoms develop. Rapid Response Teams have also been deployed for surveillance activities.
In Bengaluru, the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Diseases has been designated as the isolation centre, while the Epidemic Diseases Hospital will serve as the quarantine and treatment facility. In Mangaluru, Srinivas Port Hospital has been identified as the quarantine centre and Wenlock District Hospital as the treatment facility.
