A district-level coordination committee meeting on Ebola preparedness was held at the Nagapattinam Collectorate on Monday under the district Collector P. Akash.

According to an official release, the meeting was convened in view of the spread of Ebola infection in African countries such as Congo, Uganda and South Sudan, which has been declared a public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organization (WHO).

The meeting reviewed preparedness measures in accordance with guidelines issued by the Centre and the State government. Discussions focused on the causes, symptoms and modes of transmission of the Ebola virus, besides surveillance of domestic and international passengers arriving through ship services between Nagapattinam in India and Kankesanthurai in Sri Lanka.

Officials also discussed preparedness arrangements at Nagapattinam port and onboard passenger vessels, including the role and safety measures for port officials, employees and workers.

Measures for isolation and symptomatic treatment of suspected Ebola patients at the Nagapattinam Government Medical College Hospital and the Government Hospital in Nagapattinam were also reviewed, along with reporting protocols related to the disease.

Among those who participated in the meeting were District Health Officer and Port Health Officer (in-charge) Pradeep V. Krishnakumar, Dean of Nagapattinam Government Medical College Hospital Gayathri, Joint Director of Rural Health Services Uma, Nagapattinam Port Officer Captain Maneksha, customs officials, immigration officials, central industrial security personnel, representatives of shipping agencies and members of the port medical team.