Close on the heels of a meeting on detection of Ebola virus among passengers arriving from Liberia, guidelines are being framed at the State level for the secondary line of treatment of people inflicted by the virus.
The issue was discussed at a video conference on Wednesday, which was attended by district health department representatives.
District Disease Surveillance Officer B.V. Rajesh, who attended the meeting, told The Hindu on Thursday, “There are no direct flights from the affected countries to Mangalore. We are looking at ways to tackle the possible spread of the virus from people who arrive here but do not report about the infection,” he said. A detailed directive from the State government about the steps was expected in a day or two, he said.
In a letter to State governments, the External Affairs Ministry said there were around 3,000 Indians in Liberia where there has been an outbreak of the virus that has resulted in the death of nearly 280 people. Around 60 families were slated to return by Ethiopian, Kenya and Emirate Airways to New Delhi and Mumbai.
Information outletThe District Health Department had set up an information, education and communication (IEC) outlet at the Mangalore International Airport for screening those suspected of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, two months ago. The IEC outlet, which has doctors and nurses, will screen those suspected of Ebola virus as well. “As for MERS, the screening for Ebola too will be of those who come forward voluntarily,” Dr. Rajesh said, adding that passengers should come forward for screening and for being quarantined.
Dr. Rajesh said there were chances of passengers not knowing about the infection as the period of incubation of the virus was 15 days.
Published - August 08, 2014 02:10 pm IST
