Amid rising concerns over Ebola cases reported in parts of Africa, health authorities in Ahmedabad have stepped up precautionary measures and placed 11 people returning from Ebola-affected African countries under home isolation.
The Amdavad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has activated special surveillance systems across the city following Ebola outbreaks reported in Uganda, Congo, and South Sudan.
According to health officials, all 11 travellers recently returned from affected African nations and are residents of western Ahmedabad. Authorities said none of them are currently showing symptoms of Ebola and no confirmed contact with infected patients has been identified so far.
However, officials said precautionary monitoring has been made compulsory for passengers arriving from Uganda, Congo, and South Sudan due to growing international concern over the virus.
As part of emergency preparedness, authorities have also set up a dedicated 30-bed quarantine ward at SVP Hospital to handle any suspected Ebola cases if required.
Meanwhile, surveillance at Ahmedabad airport has been intensified. Passenger screening for travellers arriving from affected African countries is being carried out daily between 6 pm and 10 am.
Under new guidelines issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), all international passengers must now fill Self Declaration Forms (SDFs). Airlines have also been instructed to make health-related announcements before landing to help speed up screening procedures and reduce crowding at airports.
Health workers have been deployed round-the-clock at airport arrival sections to monitor passengers and identify suspected cases at an early stage.
Authorities are also considering restarting the Air Suvidha portal to strengthen passenger tracking and health surveillance.
The Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak has raised global public health concerns as several African countries continue reporting infections and deaths linked to the virus.