The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for airlines following the declaration of the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The new SOP aims to strengthen disease surveillance and prevent the possible spread of Ebola in India through international air travel.
Airlines Asked To Collect Self-Declaration Forms
Under the revised guidelines, airlines operating flights connected to Uganda and Congo have been directed to ensure mandatory collection and submission of self-declaration forms from passengers before disembarkation.
Authorities said the move is intended to help health officials identify travellers who may require screening or monitoring upon arrival.
Mandatory Health Announcements During Flights
The DGCA has also instructed airlines to make specific health-related announcements onboard flights to enable early identification of possible Ebola cases.
Passengers have been advised to immediately inform cabin crew members, immigration officials or medical authorities if they experience symptoms associated with Ebola either during the journey or after arrival in India.
The symptoms listed in the advisory include:
- Fever
- Weakness
- Muscle pain
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Bleeding
Officials said early reporting of symptoms is essential for timely medical treatment and containment measures.
SOP Details Protocol For Suspected Ebola Cases
According to the SOP, travellers who develop symptoms within 21 days of arriving in India have been advised to immediately seek medical care at designated hospitals and inform the airport health office.
The aviation regulator stated that if a passenger onboard an aircraft is suspected of having Ebola, airlines must relocate the individual to the rear section of the aircraft whenever possible.
Additionally, three rows in front of the suspected passenger and adjacent seats should be kept vacant to reduce exposure risks for other travellers and crew members.
Airlines Directed To Maintain Medical Safety Supplies
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has also directed airlines to maintain adequate stocks of medical and safety equipment as part of precautionary preparedness.
The required supplies include:
- Triple-layer masks
- Disposable gloves
- PPE kits
- Hand sanitisers
- Bio-hazard disposal bags
The SOP comes amid growing international concern over the Ebola outbreak in parts of Africa and increased global surveillance efforts following the WHO’s emergency declaration.
Indian authorities have stated that the measures are precautionary and aimed at ensuring public health safety through early detection and rapid response mechanisms.
