India has elevated its preparedness against Ebola, implementing stringent screening and surveillance measures across the nation. This action follows the World Health Organization's (WHO) declaration of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) due to an ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda.
On May 21, 2026, Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava issued a comprehensive advisory to all states and Union Territories. The directive emphasizes the need to strengthen surveillance, enhance screening protocols, and bolster hospital readiness, citing the significant volume of international travel and trade as a critical factor.
Enhanced Surveillance and Traveler Screening
Under the new advisory, states are mandated to intensify monitoring through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP). This includes vigilance for unusual clusters of illness, particularly among individuals arriving from Ebola-affected regions. Authorities are specifically instructed to watch for symptoms such as fever, weakness, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, rash, and red eyes.
Passengers arriving from high-risk countries will undergo thermal screening and health monitoring at all international airports and seaports. Those presenting with Ebola-like symptoms will be immediately transferred to designated isolation facilities for further testing and appropriate treatment.
Hospital Preparedness and Laboratory Capacity
The Central government has also directed state authorities to identify and establish dedicated isolation wards and ambulance services. Ensuring adequate stocks of personal protective equipment (PPE) and strengthening both laboratory infrastructure and critical care capabilities are also key components of the preparedness plan.
The Indian Council of Medical Research’s (ICMR) National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune is fully equipped to test suspected Ebola samples. Additional ICMR laboratories are on standby and can be activated as the situation evolves.
A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) attached to the advisory outlines a mandatory 21-day monitoring period for travelers arriving from affected regions. It also details protocols for quarantine, thorough contact tracing, and robust infection prevention measures.
Karnataka Takes Proactive Steps
Karnataka is among the first states to publicly outline its preparedness strategy following the WHO's declaration. The Karnataka Health Department clarified that no Ebola cases have been detected within India but advised recent travelers from affected African nations to self-monitor for 21 days post-arrival.
The department urged the public to remain calm and rely solely on official information. Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) have been placed on high alert, and surveillance and airport coordination efforts have been intensified. In Bengaluru, the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Diseases (RGICD) is the designated isolation center, with the Epidemic Diseases Hospital serving as the quarantine and treatment facility. Mangaluru has identified Srinivas Port Hospital for quarantine and Wenlock District Hospital for isolation and treatment. Dedicated ambulance services are also on standby for transporting suspected patients.
Understanding Ebola
Ebola is a severe, often fatal, viral disease in humans. It spreads through direct contact with the blood or other bodily fluids of infected individuals, as well as with contaminated materials like bedding, clothing, or syringes. Healthcare workers, caregivers, and close contacts of infected persons are considered most vulnerable during outbreaks.
While countries bordering DRC and Uganda, such as South Sudan, remain at high risk of transmission, the overall threat outside the immediately affected African region is currently assessed as low.