'High Alert' Issued in Kerala Following WHO Declaration of Global Emergency Over Ebola Spread
Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala has further intensified its surveillance and public health preparedness following the World Health Organization's (WHO) declaration of a global public health emergency regarding the rapidly spreading Ebola outbreak in parts of Africa.
This emergency declaration was issued amidst the rapid spread of the deadly "Bundibugyo" strain of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda.
Citing the International Health Regulations (IHR-2005), the WHO warned on May 17 that this outbreak constitutes a serious international public health threat, carrying with it the risk of cross-border transmission.
In a related development, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) declared this outbreak a "continental public health security emergency," prompting African nations and global health agencies to bolster their emergency response mechanisms on a war footing.
Health officials in Kerala step up surveillance systems
Amidst growing global concern, health officials in Kerala have stepped up surveillance systems at airports and other points of entry to ensure the early detection of suspected cases. Special attention is being focused on identifying travelers arriving from affected regions who exhibit unexplained fever or symptoms associated with viral hemorrhagic fever.
The WHO's International Health Regulations Emergency Committee, which convened on May 22, issued stringent temporary recommendations, urging countries to strengthen disease surveillance at international airports, seaports, and border crossings. The organization also urged nations to discourage non-essential travel to Ebola-affected regions.
Alert in other states
Authorities are on alert in other states also especially other states including Andhra Pradesh. While India currently has no confirmed Ebola cases, authorities have intensified preparedness through airport screening, laboratory readiness, quarantine arrangements, and surveillance protocols.