Published Nov 05, 2026 | 6:41 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 05, 2026 | 6:41 PM
The current outbreak is attributed to the Bundibugyo virus strain.
Synopsis: Andhra Pradesh has deployed medical teams at Tirupati, Bhogapuram and Vijayawada airports to screen passengers for Ebola and begun preparations for health checks at the ports of Visakhapatnam, Kakinada and Nellore. The preparedness measures follow reports of 10,498 confirmed cases and 5,107 deaths across five countries in an outbreak attributed to the Bundibugyo virus strain.
Andhra Pradesh has deployed medical teams at three airports to screen passengers suspected of carrying Ebola and begun arrangements for health checks at the ports of Visakhapatnam, Kakinada and Nellore. The State has prepared 46 isolation beds in five government hospitals, stocked 3,288 personal protective equipment (PPE) kits and arranged five ambulances to transport suspected patients.
The preparedness measures were reviewed at a video conference between State health officials and the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Thursday, 5 November. State Health Secretary G Veerapandian briefed Central officials on screening, isolation, sample collection and treatment arrangements.
“Necessary precautions are being taken in the state to prevent the spread of the Ebola virus in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Central Government,” the State Health Department said.
As of 31 October, five countries had reported a cumulative 10,498 confirmed cases and 5,107 deaths. The Democratic Republic of the Congo accounted for 10,467 cases and 5,103 deaths. Kenya reported nine cases and two deaths, Uganda 20 cases and two deaths, while Nigeria and France reported one case each.
The current outbreak is attributed to the Bundibugyo virus strain. Officials advised States to follow the precautions recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.
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Medical teams have been readied at Tirupati, Bhogapuram and Vijayawada airports to screen incoming passengers with symptoms suggestive of Ebola. Arrangements are also being initiated at the three seaports for health checks.
Selected government hospitals have been asked to set up dedicated isolation wards. State and district health authorities have been alerted to identify suspected cases, isolate patients and refer them for medical care.
A State-wide mock drill will be held on 12 November to assess preparedness and test procedures for identifying suspected cases, isolating patients, providing treatment and referring them to designated hospitals.
During Thursday’s video conference, National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) Additional Director Dr Himanshu Chautha and Joint Director Dr Shubha Garg reviewed the implementation of the Centre’s Ebola preparedness guidelines.
Under the guidelines discussed at the meeting, travellers arriving from Ebola-affected countries must undergo health screening and verification of their travel history over the preceding 21 days.
Travellers without symptoms will be placed under home-based self-monitoring. Those who have had direct contact with an infected person will remain under medical surveillance for 21 days.
Suspected cases showing symptoms must be transported to designated isolation hospitals in dedicated ambulances. Passengers developing symptoms during air travel must be separated from other passengers, and airport authorities must be informed.
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The State has identified three Viral Research and Diagnostic Laboratories (VRDLs) to test suspected Ebola samples. They are located at Andhra Medical College in Visakhapatnam, Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences (SVIMS) in Tirupati and Government Siddhartha Medical College in Vijayawada. The ICMR-National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune also has facilities to test suspected samples.
Health Secretary G Veerapandian and Health and Family Welfare Commissioner Chakradhar Babu informed Central officials that five government hospitals had been equipped with 46 isolation beds for the clinical management of suspected cases.
Director of Medical Education Dr Attaluri Vishnuvardhan, Director of Public Health Dr R Venkata Ramana, Joint Director Dr K Arjuna Rao and other Health Department officials participated in the review meeting.
(Edited by Dese Gowda with inputs from Sumit Jha)
