Airports, ports being screened to prevent Ebola outbreak in India
21,799 screened at airports so far, 1,200 identified as suspected cases
NEW DELHI: An officer of Pakistan ranger lost his life during the retaliatory fire of the Border Security Force (BSF) at the international border (IB) in Jammu and Kashmir, Union home minister Rajnath Singh was told on Monday.
“During the recent ceasefire violation from Pakistani side, when the BSF asked to respond, it fired more than 50,000 rounds and around 1,000 mortars resulting in killing of an officer of Pakistani rangers and around two dozen more persons. Besides more than 50 border outposts and small chowkis on the Pakistani side were also destroyed. Singh was also informed that in the last 24 hours Pakistan has not violated ceasefire,” said a home ministry official requesting anonymity.
Singh was briefed by top security officials, including National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, about the situation along the border with Pakistan. He directed the officials to ensure that the border guarding forces remain on high alert and civilians living along the border are fully protected as the Pakistan may continue with violations till the elections in the state, said source. NEW DELHI: Indian authorities have ramped up screening for the Ebola virus at airports and ports over the past two months to avert an outbreak of the deadly disease that has killed more than 4,000 people, mostly in West Africa.
As part of the heightened surveillance, the government conducts detailed medical examinations of high-risk passengers, including checking their travel history, taking their body temperature and placing under quarantine people with possible symptoms of infection.
The government has screened 21,799 people at airports since it began screening for Ebola two months ago, but nobody has tested positive for the disease in India. So far, 1,200 travellers have been identified as suspected cases and 485 passengers have been quarantined at a Delhi facility.
The passengers had flown from Ebola-affected countries — THE GOVERNMENT HAS SCREENED 21,799 people at airports since it began screening for Ebola two months ago, but nobody has tested positive for the disease in India. So far, 1,200 travellers have been identified as suspected cases and 485 passengers have been quarantined at a Delhi facility
THE PASSENGERS HAD FLOWN from Ebola-affected countries — Liberia, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Guinea, Congo and Senegal — and had reported Ebola-like symptoms that include fever, fatigue, sore throat, muscle ache, nausea and headache.
Liberia, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Guinea, Congo and Senegal — and had reported Ebola-like symptoms that include fever, fatigue, sore throat, muscle ache, nausea and headache. The government has also identified one hospital with a dedicated isolation facility in each state to admit people with Ebolalike symptoms. These hospitals are equipped to handle sample collection, diagnosis and treatment of Ebola cases.
“The health ministry is providing technical and material support to states for preparing health facilities with dedicated isolation wards, enabling them to provide diagnosis, treatment and care, and infection control under proper guidelines,” said Union health minister Dr
Harsh Vardhan. “We have an efficient surveillance programme running and fully prepared.”
Authorities have also posted teams at the Attari border and airport to screen passengers coming from Ebola-affected countries.