Measures to detect, contain Ebola in place at Bangalore airport

Mangalore Today News Network

Bangalore, August 9, 2014:  Measures to test for the Ebola virus have been put in place in the Kempegowda International Airport at Bangalore since Friday in light of the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. Measures to contain the virus if detected in passengers flying into Bangalore from Africa have also been put in place.

Ebola outbreak in West Africa has been declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) by the Director General of Emergency Committee, WHO.

“Routine screenings for Ebola have started and additional medical practitioners are available from the state health department,” Bangalore International Airport Ltd the company that runs the airport said here on Saturday.

“The teams are also in touch with the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Diseases, Bangalore to facilitate dedicated beds, if required. The District Health Officer, on behalf of the Government of Karnataka, is providing Ebola awareness banners in English and Kannada to be displayed in areas with higher passenger footfall,” BIAL said.

All airlines have been directed to make announcements on mandatory requirements to counter the Ebola virus. An Information, Communication and Education is being conducted for staff at the airport and for passengers. Bangalore has a sizable number of students coming from African countries to study here and a fairly large number of businessmen travel to Africa from the city.

The Airport Health Office in collaboration with the District Health Officer, Devanahalli, will have an ambulance on standby for transportation of quarantined passengers, BIAL said.

 

Courtesy:indian express