Ebola Screening Intensified at Vijayawada Airport Amid Global Alert
Airport officials said all international passengers arriving at the Gannavaram airport are being subjected to mandatory medical screening.
Vijayawada: The International Airport here on Tuesday began preventive screening of international passengers for the Ebola virus following alerts issued by the Union health ministry over rising infections in several African countries.
The Andhra Pradesh government has stepped up its health surveillance across the state, particularly at international airports, after the WHO advised countries to strengthen monitoring systems at global entry points.
Airport officials said all international passengers arriving at the Gannavaram airport are being subjected to mandatory medical screening. Travellers have also been asked to submit self-declaration forms detailing their recent travel history after arrival.
Passengers arriving from Singapore on Tuesday underwent detailed health checks. Thermal scanners were used to identify fever and other symptoms associated with the deadly viral infection.
The screening process was initiated in accordance with guidelines issued by the Union health ministry. Health department teams and airport authorities jointly conducted round-the-clock monitoring of incoming passengers, particularly those arriving through international transit routes linked to African nations.
Health minister Satyakumar Yadav had full preparedness in view of the increasing Ebola cases and mortality rates in Africa.
Close coordination has been established between airport authorities and district medical officials at the international airports in Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam and Tirupati. Health officials, however, clarified that there is no need for public panic.
