Ahmedabad: The Gujarat government has stepped up screening measures for passengers arriving at Ahmedabad airport from Ebola-affected African countries, including Uganda, Congo and South Sudan, amid concerns over outbreaks in these nations. Although no suspected cases have been reported in Gujarat so far, Health Minister Praful Pansheriya on Monday said authorities are implementing the Centre’s standard operating procedures, with enhanced screening and isolation arrangements put in place.

Chairing a review meeting with officials to assess the state’s preparedness, Pansheriya said intensive screening of passengers arriving from Ebola-affected regions is being conducted daily between 6 pm and 10 am.

“There is not a single case of the Ebola virus in Gujarat or India at present, and there is no reason for panic. Health department teams have been instructed to strictly follow the Centre’s guidelines and SOPs,” the minister said.

He added that passengers arriving from other countries are not facing any inconvenience and assured that both administrative and health departments are fully prepared to handle any emergency situation.

As part of preparedness measures, the government has earmarked 32 beds at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital and 10 beds at Surat Civil Hospital for suspected Ebola cases. In addition, a 60-bed isolation ward and dedicated treatment facilities have been set up at SVP Hospital in Ahmedabad.

“If any passenger is identified as a suspected case, the state government is fully prepared to begin treatment immediately as per Union government guidelines,” Pansheriya added.

Ebola is a severe viral haemorrhagic fever caused by infection with the Bundibugyo strain of the virus and is associated with a high mortality rate. The Centre has advised Indian citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Congo, Uganda and South Sudan, while neighbouring countries have also been classified as high-risk zones for possible transmission. DeshGujarat