Woman from Uganda isolated in Bengaluru tests negative for Ebola, India steps up surveillance

A 28yearold woman from Uganda who was isolated in Bengaluru after reporting mild symptoms has tested negative for Ebola virus disease EVD officials said on Wednesday The development comes as Indian health authorities intensify monitoring measures following a rise in Ebola cases in parts of Africa reported PTIThe woman who had recently travelled from Uganda was admitted to the staterun Epidemic Diseases Hospital in Bengaluru as a precautionary measure after she complained of mild body ache reported PTISample tested at NIV Pune returns negativeAccording to official sources a sample collected from the woman was sent to the National Institute of Virology in Pune for laboratory testing reported PTIThe test result later confirmed that she was negative for Ebola virus diseaseOfficials said the woman from Uganda is currently in stable condition and does not have any serious symptomsldquoThe individual is otherwise healthy nowrdquo a source said adding that the isolation was part of standard precautionary public health measuresCentre closely monitoring Ebola situationThe Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is closely monitoring the evolving Ebola situation following recent outbreaks reported in several African countriesHealth authorities said surveillance mechanisms have been strengthened in coordination with state governments and all required protocols are being implemented in line with guidelines issued by the World Health Organization reported PTIOfficials reiterated that no confirmed Ebola case has been detected in India so farThe ministry also stated that screening and monitoring activities are continuing at designated international entry points and across the public health system to ensure early detection of any suspected infectionsCitizens have been advised not to panic or circulate misinformation regarding Ebolarelated developmentsAndhra Pradesh strengthens preparedness measuresAmid growing global concern over the outbreak health authorities in Andhra Pradesh have also stepped up preparedness measuresThe Andhra Pradesh Health Department has established an Ebola screening facility at Vijayawada International Airport to monitor incoming passengers particularly those arriving from SingaporeMedical teams deployed at the airport are conducting thermal screening and symptom checks to identify possible suspected casesPassengers are also being advised to immediately report symptoms such as fever vomiting weakness or any unusual bleeding historyOfficials clarified that the screening exercise is a preventive step following international health alerts and that there is no immediate cause for concernVijayawada hospital sets up dedicated Ebola wardMeanwhile A Venkateswara Rao Superintendent of Vijayawadarsquos Government General Hospital said the hospital has established a dedicated Ebola ward with six to eight beds and necessary medical equipment reported PTIHe said awareness and training programmes are being conducted for hospital staff including nurses and sanitation workers over the past two days to improve emergency preparednessldquoAt present there is no recorded evidence of Ebola infection here Depending on the situation we will expand arrangements if neededrdquo Rao said reported PTIHe added that the hospital is equipped with oxygen support systems ventilators and other emergency medical facilities to handle any future situation if requiredEbola outbreaks trigger global health concernsThe heightened monitoring in India comes amid a rise in Ebola cases in Central and East Africa particularly linked to the Bundibugyo strain of the virusWith inputs from PTI