Ebola alert: Vizag steps up airport screening and surveillance
Authorities in Visakhapatnam have intensified health surveillance and screening measures amid growing concerns over the spread of the Ebola virus following fresh cases reported in several African countries.
The district administration, acting on alerts issued by the World Health Organisation and advisories from the Indian government and Andhra Pradesh authorities, has placed the coastal city on heightened alert and strengthened monitoring systems at the airport to track international arrivals.
Officials said screening and testing procedures were being carried out for passengers arriving directly from overseas as well as travellers reaching Visakhapatnam through domestic connecting flights linked to international routes.
Particular attention is being focused on students arriving from African nations, especially those enrolled at educational institutions in the city.
According to official sources, more than 400 students from Congo, Uganda, and Sudan are currently associated with GITAM and Andhra University. While some are residing in hostels in Visakhapatnam, others are believed to be in their home countries and are expected to return before the start of the new academic term.
Authorities have also identified nearly 100 new admissions from African countries expected to arrive in June. Officials said travel histories and related details of these students had been compiled as part of the precautionary exercise.
Visakhapatnam receives a daily international flight from Singapore, arriving late at night, in addition to passengers travelling through connecting services from Hyderabad, Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru.
Given the volume of international movement, mandatory health screening and testing protocols have been introduced for foreign nationals and domestic passengers arriving through transit routes, officials said.
Health workers have also been deployed to raise awareness among residents about preventive measures, symptoms associated with the virus, and the importance of early detection.