Karnataka’s Health Department has designated specialised isolation, quarantine and treatment facilities in State-run hospitals in Bengaluru and Mangaluru as part of precautionary measures amid Ebola alert.

This follows the Union Health MInistry’s directions to all States and Union Territories to strengthen surveillance, hospital preparedness and rapid response systems.

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the ongoing Ebola Disease (ED) outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda as a “Public Health Emergency of International Concern” (PHEIC). 

Isolation centres

In Bengaluru, the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Diseases has been identified as the isolation centre, while the Epidemic Diseases Hospital has been designated as the quarantine and treatment facility.

In Mangaluru, the Srinivas Port Hospital under the New Mangalore Port Authority has been identified as the quarantine centre, while the Wenlock District Hospital has been designated as the isolation and treatment centre.

Ambulances

Dedicated ambulance services have also been kept ready for transportation of suspected patients to these facilities, the Department said in a public advisory.

Health officials clarified that no Ebola cases have been reported in India so far. However, preparedness measures have been intensified in view of international travel and trade. The advisory urged the public not to panic unnecessarily and to rely only on official information released by health authorities.

Ebola is a severe viral disease that may cause symptoms such as fever, weakness, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach pain, rash and red eyes. The disease spreads through direct contact with the blood, organs or bodily fluids of infected persons, as well as contaminated materials such as bedding, clothes and syringes.

IDSP surveillance

Officials said surveillance and monitoring of suspected cases have been strengthened under the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), particularly for travellers arriving from affected countries.

Coordination mechanisms have also been reinforced with airports and other Points of Entry (PoEs), while Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) across the State have been kept on alert.

According to the advisory, healthcare personnel are being trained in infection prevention and control measures, and adequate stocks of personal protective equipment (PPE), medicines and laboratory support systems are being ensured.

Samples from suspected Ebola cases will be collected and routed through National Institute of Virology (NIV), Bengaluru for confirmatory testing at NIV Pune.

People who have recently travelled to Ebola-affected countries have been advised to undergo self-monitoring and health observation for 21 days after returning to India. Anyone developing symptoms suggestive of Ebola has been asked to immediately report to the nearest health facility.