Screening of flyers arriving at Pune airport begins amid Ebola scare

Pune: Airport authorities in Pune have activated public health surveillance and passenger screening protocols for all incoming international passengers after World Health Organisation’s (WHO) declaration that the Ebola outbreak is a public health emergency.

Airport Health Officer (APHO) Suhas Dhandore told TOI that all international flyers arriving in Pune will have to fill in a self-declaration form. “The form will be provided in the aircraft by the cabin crew. It includes some questions about their health and travel history that must be completed and submitted at immigration. We are particularly looking for flyers who have travelled to Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan and Uganda,” he added.

While Pune doesn’t have any direct flights to these countries, there is a chance of flyers transiting these nations. Pune has direct flights to Dubai and Bangkok.

“The ministry of health and family welfare has issued detailed advisories and operational guidelines for all ports of entry across the country. In compliance with these directives, we are working towards screening of flyers,” Pune airport director Santosh Dhoke, said.

“If a flyer has travelled to these countries, the state surveillance officer will be alerted and they will be tracked. If they have been in contact with an Ebola patient or show symptoms of the ailment, they will be quarantined at Naidu Hospital. All arriving international flyers will have to pass through a special corridor where thermal scanners have been set up. Until now, we haven’t found any Ebola cases,” another airport official said.

A series of coordination meetings and preparedness reviews have been initiated with all airport stakeholders. “A follow-up coordination meeting with airline operators will be conducted to review implementation workflows and operational challenges. Training and capacity-building sessions for APHO personnel are being conducted on Ebola screening protocols and the use of personal protective equipment. Further training sessions have been scheduled for Customs, immigration staff and airline personnel too,” the director said, requesting that flyers cooperate with the authorities.