TN steps up Ebola surveillance at airports, hospitals after Centre advisory

Chennai: Following an advisory issued by the Union health ministry on the risk of Ebola virus disease cases being reported from some African countries, the directorate of public health and preventive medicine (DPH) has stepped up surveillance and precautionary measures across airports, ports and govt hospitals in the state.

“All district health authorities have been instructed to remain on alert and closely monitor travellers arriving from countries where Ebola infections have been reported. Screening and surveillance measures have been intensified at airports, especially for passengers with recent travel history to affected regions, while isolation facilities and rapid response teams have been kept ready in major govt hospitals,” said director of public health Dr A Somasundaram.

The state has directed medical colleges, district headquarters hospitals, and primary health centres to sensitise healthcare workers on the symptoms, transmission and infection-control protocols related to Ebola. Training sessions are being conducted for doctors, nurses and field staff to ensure early detection and immediate reporting of suspected cases.

Health officials have advised travellers arriving from affected countries to immediately inform airline crew members or report to airport medical and immigration units if they experience symptoms such as fever, weakness, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhoea, rash or bleeding. “Early reporting is crucial for immediate treatment and to prevent further spread of the infection. Travellers have been asked to seek medical care at designated hospitals and inform airport health officers if any symptoms develop within 30 days of arrival in the country,” said DPH.

Ebola is a severe viral disease that spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids of infected persons or contaminated surfaces. Symptoms include sudden fever, fatigue, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhoea and, in severe cases, internal and external bleeding. Though no cases have been reported in Tamil Nadu, officials said preparedness is crucial due to increasing international travel and global movement.

The DPH has also launched awareness measures to educate the public on precautionary practices, including maintaining hygiene, avoiding unnecessary travel to outbreak-hit regions and reporting symptoms promptly after international travel. Information materials are being circulated to hospitals and public health centres, while surveillance officers have been asked to monitor fever clusters and unusual illness patterns.

“The state’s disease surveillance network has been strengthened to ensure immediate coordination between airports, hospitals and laboratories in the event of any suspected case. The state has also advised private hospitals to notify authorities without delay if any patient with relevant travel history develops symptoms associated with Ebola,” said Dr Somasundaram.