Ebola: Health Minister UT Khader seeks more information, writes to PM Modi
Bengaluru: State Health Minister U.T. Khader has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the precautionary measures that need to be in place for additional safety following the Ebola breakout.
Mr Khader told the media on Saturday that a copy of the letter was also mailed to Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan. Pointing that all the flights from affected areas arrived only at Delhi and Mumbai Airports, he said that the passengers should be thoroughly screened at these airports. “None of these flights come to Bengaluru or Mangalore,” he said.
“If anyone is suspected of having symptoms, they must be immediately be rushed to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi and should not be allowed to travel anywhere in the country,” he said.
The minister said that though the Union government has passed instructions to screen passengers at all airports, there is no clarity. “We want to know more about the protocols for screening,” he added.
Kempegowda International Airport advisory to passengers
Following the alert by the World Health Organisation declaring Ebola outbreak in West Africa as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) along with all international airports in the country on Saturday announced advisory to passengers on the proactive measures taken for education and containment of Ebola virus, which is a joint initiative of the Government of Karnataka, Airport Health Officer (APHO) and Airline Operators Committee (AOC).
“We have issued airport entry passes to district health officials on an emergency basis and doctors, paramedics will be available at the airport. Starting August 8, all airlines have been directed to make inflight/on board announcements about mandatory requirements. Do’s and don’ts issued by the United Nations have been prominently displayed for public awareness at the international departure and arrival areas,” said a KIAL spokesperson, adding that Bengaluru has taken aggressive steps to spread awareness among all staff and passengers through various kinds of information, communication and education material. Routine screenings for EVD have started and additional medical practitioners are available from the State Health Department.
