Ebola alert prompts Andhra Pradesh to strengthen airport screening
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The Andhra Pradesh government has intensified precautionary measures against Ebola following global concerns over the spread of the disease and recent outbreaks in parts of Africa.
Dr. Sujana of Government General Hospital (GGH), Vijayawada, told ANI that special surveillance is being carried out on passengers arriving from foreign countries, with screening tests being conducted at Gannavaram Airport. According to her, screening procedures have been in place for the past 20 days for all international passengers arriving at the airport.
Passengers arriving from Singapore are being screened three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. 127 passengers arriving from Singapore underwent screening on the latest screening day.
Special screening was conducted for Hajj pilgrims who arrived at Gannavaram Airport last week, including during the afternoon and midnight hours. No Ebola-related symptoms have been detected among any of the screened passengers so far.
Quarantine rooms have also been kept ready to isolate anyone showing suspected symptoms if required.
Ebola Disease is a viral haemorrhagic fever caused by infection with the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus. It is considered a serious disease with a high mortality rate. Currently, no vaccines or specific treatments have been approved for Ebola Disease caused by the Bundibugyo strain.
The Central Government has advised citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan.
On May 17, 2026, the World Health Organization declared the Ebola outbreaks in Congo and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has also classified the outbreak affecting the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda as a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security.
The WHO Emergency Committee later recommended stronger disease surveillance at points of entry and urged countries to discourage travel to areas where the Bundibugyo virus has been detected.