The suspected Ebola case involving a 37-year-old businessman from Congo in Gujarat has tested negative, State Health Minister Praful Pansheriya said on Thursday, bringing relief after four people were quarantined as a precaution.
The businessman, identified as Amuri Lokula, had travelled from Congo to Mumbai before visiting Silvassa, Daman and Vadodara.
According to the Health Department, he arrived in Mumbai around 10 days ago and stayed there for five days. He later spent nearly four days in the Silvassa-Daman region before reaching Vadodara on May 22.
Pansheriya said the Ebola test report of the suspected patient was negative and appealed to people not to panic or spread rumours.
“Citizens are requested not to panic in any manner and to stay away from rumours. They should trust only the official information issued by the Health Department,” the minister said.
He added that the state government and the Health Department remain fully alert and prepared to protect public health.
A Health Department source said only the businessman who had arrived from Congo was tested for Ebola and his report had come negative.
“Rest three reports are already negative,” the source said, referring to the three individuals who had been quarantined after coming into contact with the businessman.
On Wednesday, authorities had quarantined four people, including the businessman, after he developed fever symptoms following his travel from Africa.
Officials said all four individuals were isolated at separate facilities in Ahmedabad as a precaution and their samples were sent for testing.
The Gujarat government had also intensified screening measures at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (SVPIA) for passengers arriving from Ebola-affected countries such as Congo, Uganda and South Sudan.
Isolation wards were also kept ready at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, Surat Civil Hospital and SVP Hospital as part of emergency preparedness measures.
Health authorities across India have increased surveillance and monitoring after suspected Ebola cases were reported in Gujarat and Bengaluru, although no confirmed Ebola case has been reported in the country so far.