Indian government has advised its citizens to avoid all non-essential travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and South Sudan amid the worsening Ebola outbreak in the region.
In an advisory issued in view of the evolving public health situation and in line with recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO), the government urged Indian nationals to postpone non-essential visits to the affected countries until further notice.
“Indian citizens currently residing in or travelling to these countries are advised to strictly follow public health guidance issued by local authorities and maintain heightened precautions," the advisory stated.
The move comes after the WHO, under the International Health Regulations (IHR) 2005, declared the Ebola situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on May 17. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has also classified the ongoing outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola virus disease in the two countries as a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS).
The Ebola epidemic has particularly hit the Democratic Republic of the Congo hard. According to updated figures released by the country’s health ministry on Saturday, more than 200 people have died from the virus out of 867 suspected cases reported across three provinces.
Official data showed that 204 deaths were considered probable Ebola-related fatalities. Earlier, the WHO had reported 177 deaths from 750 suspected cases in its latest assessment released on Friday.
Health authorities in the affected countries continue to intensify surveillance, isolation measures and emergency response efforts to contain the spread of the highly infectious disease.
Ebola is a severe viral illness that spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids of infected individuals and can often prove fatal if not detected and treated early. Symptoms typically include fever, weakness, muscle pain, vomiting and internal bleeding.
Indian authorities have advised travellers and residents in the affected regions to maintain strict hygiene practices, avoid contact with infected persons, and immediately report any symptoms to local health officials.
Source: News18