Ebola screening begins at Vijayawada airport for international passengers

Vijayawada: Following the medical and health department’s decision to screen international passengers at airports amid the Ebola outbreak in African countries, authorities at Vijayawada International Airport have begun screening incoming travellers. On Tuesday, airport officials conducted medical screening of passengers arriving from Singapore at a dedicated Ebola screening facility set up within the airport premises.

“A total of 185 passengers were screened on the first day at the special medical camp set up at the airport. Individuals exhibiting symptoms will be immediately quarantined, and those who have been in close contact with them will undergo prompt medical examination,” an official from the airport director’s office said.

The official added that preventive screening has been made mandatory for all international passengers. Travellers are required to fill out self-declaration forms detailing their travel history upon arrival. Earlier, Health Minister Y. Satya Kumar Yadav announced that necessary precautionary measures have been implemented across the state in view of the rising cases, spread, and mortality associated with the Ebola virus in several African nations.

The government has also set up dedicated isolation wards with 15 beds each in hospitals located in cities with international airports.