Congo bizman quarantined as suspected Ebola case in Guj, three contacts isolated

Ahmedabad: A suspected Ebola case has been reported in Gujarat after a 37-year-old businessman from the Republic of Congo was quarantined at the Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad on Wednesday. The man arrived in India around 10 days ago and has travelled to Mumbai, Vadodara and Silvassa/Daman during this period. Hospital authorities said he has been experiencing fever for several days, prompting officials to treat him as a suspected case and collect samples for confirmation.

Samples have been sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, and results are expected in 24 to 48 hours. Three people who came in contact with the patient have been traced and placed in isolation at different facilities.

State health minister Praful Pansheriya said there is no confirmed Ebola case in Gujarat so far, even as quarantine measures have been initiated. Providing details, Pansheriya said, “A businessman named Amuri Lokula arrived in India about five to seven days ago. He came to Mumbai and then to Vadodara. He experienced a fever and was admitted to Banker hospital in Vadodara. Our health department was informed about the case, and he has been admitted to the special Ebola ward that has been created at the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital,” Pansheriya said.

Pansheriya added that Lokula was accompanied by two more persons — Patrick Kaja and Valentine Zodel — both of whom have been admitted to a special ward created at SVP Hospital. “One Dr Sunil Musana, who had come in contact with Lokula for business reasons, has also been quarantined,” the health minister said.

According to information from the Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad, “On May 27, 2026, a suspected Ebola patient was admitted to the Civil Hospital. The patient’s name is Amuri Lokula, aged 37, and he is a businessman. This young man arrived in Mumbai from Congo approximately 10 days ago, stayed in Mumbai for 5 days, and then spent about 4 days in the Silvassa/Daman area. On May 22, 2026, the patient arrived in Vadodara. He was admitted to a private hospital in Vadodara on May 26, 2026. The patient has been experiencing fever for about six days, and his symptoms resemble those of Ebola. Therefore, he has been admitted to the Civil Hospital today, where he is being observed as a suspected case of infectious/viral haemorrhagic fever.”

According to information from the Civil Hospital, “Tracing of individuals who came into contact with the patient has been conducted. Dr Sunil Musana (professional contact), Patrick Kaja and Valentin Zodal have been identified as individuals who came into contact with the patient. These individuals have been placed in isolation. Information regarding the patient’s technical visit to India is being gathered, including his stay at the Express Hotel in Vadodara on May 25, 2026. No fever-related information has emerged among the individuals who came into contact with the patient. Additionally, the process of tracing other individuals who came into contact with the patient has been initiated. Coordination between the Vadodara Municipal Corporation and the Health Department is being established to trace individuals who came into contact with the patient.”

Sources from the Civil Hospital indicate that, “There are some concerning aspects in this patient’s case. The patient recently travelled from Congo to India. The patient has a history of fever, and an increase in liver enzymes has been observed. Given the need for contact surveillance, the patient is undergoing laboratory tests. Until final confirmation regarding Ebola, the suspected imported infectious disease case is being managed.”

With Ebola cases being reported in parts of Africa, including Uganda, screening of passengers arriving from Uganda and other African countries is being conducted at Ahmedabad airport, officials said. A new ward for suspected Ebola patients has been set up at the Civil Hospital with arrangements for more than 30 beds.

A 60-bed special quarantine ward has been set up on the seventh floor of SVP Hospital, with arrangements to quarantine passengers arriving from abroad.

Dr Bhavin Solanki

Health officer, AMC

“Arrangements have been made to screen passengers arriving at the Ahmedabad airport from Uganda and other African countries. AMC has set up a quarantine ward with 60 beds at SVP Hospital. This ward has been operational since Tuesday. Passengers arriving from Uganda and other countries will be quarantined for a specific period based on their history. Passengers without such history will have arrangements for regular visits to their homes. There is no reason for worry or panic. The state health department has made adequate arrangements. As of now, there is no patient with confirmed Ebola virus in the state. Samples have been sent to NIV, Pune. Results would be shared in 24 to 48 hours.”

Praful Pansheriya

State Health Minister

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