Ebola update: Ugandan woman quarantined in Bengaluru tests negative | Today’s news
A Ugandan woman who was quarantined in Bengaluru for suspected Ebola infection has tested negative, authorities have confirmed. If the result is positive, it would mark the first case of Ebola in South Asia since 2014
The news comes a day after Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda said India has not reported any cases of the disease, which the World Health Organization has declared a public health emergency of international concern.
The 28-year-old Ugandan national had mild body pains but is otherwise healthy pending test results on samples taken from her, added the source, who requested anonymity due to lack of authorization to speak to the media.
Domestic media said test results for the traveler, who arrived in the southern city from the western industrial city of Ahmedabad on her way from the East African country, were expected within a day or two.
India has initiated screening and surveillance measures at airports and other points of entry, while issuing alerts for screening, quarantine and other measures, Nadda said.
It has already urged citizens to avoid essential travel to Congo, Uganda and South Sudan.
The Ministry of Health is closely monitoring the situation
Amid a recent surge in Ebola cases in several parts of Africa, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is closely monitoring the evolving situation, sources said.
Careful surveillance is being carried out by the Ministry of Health in coordination with the concerned state authorities and all necessary public health protocols are being followed in accordance with WHO guidelines. Currently, no case of Ebola has been confirmed in India.
Meanwhile, Vijayawada General Hospital Superintendent A Venkateswara Rao said preparations are underway to handle any possible Ebola-related emergency.
“Currently, we have started the operation of an Ebola ward with six to eight beds with all the equipment… We have organized awareness programs for our nurses and sanitation workers for the last two days… We have no evidence of Ebola infection. In the future, depending on the severity of the problem, we will adjust our measures… We are ready with oxygen, ventilators and everything. We are ready to face the Ebola infection.
The WHO has confirmed 101 cases out of more than 900 suspected worldwide of the Bundibugyo strain of the virus, for which there is no approved vaccine or treatment.
