India issues directives to airlines on Ebola

India's civil aviation watchdog Tuesday directed all airlines operating on international routes to take steps against the spread of Ebola virus, including distribution of pamphlets to passengers.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has asked all airlines to take the following precautionary measures with immediate effect:

- In-flight announcement for self-reporting by travellers with any sign or symptoms

- Provision for self-reporting by travellers with symptoms

- Submitting of information regarding visit to any affected country during the past 21 days and having symptoms on arrival

- Distribution of the proforma to all passengers and crew before they disembark in India

"The airlines have been directed to keep a record of all passengers or families who are returning to India after staying or visiting West African countries and to inform the details to concerned airport health officers," the watchdog said.

"The details of the passengers boarding from affected countries must be sent in advance to the station of arrival in India by all Indian and foreign airlines," the watchdog added.

In a statement Monday, Health Minister Harsh Vardhan had said there was no Ebola Virus Disease in the country. He said the country had the mechanism for prompt treatment and subsequent monitoring.

He added: "There is no reason for getting worried over the odd case of a visitor to the country arriving in an indisposed condition. We have all the mechanisms in place for prompt treatment and subsequent monitoring."

The statement came after a traveller from Nigeria showed symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection at the Indira Gandhi International Airport here.

The traveller was taken to the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital here where he tested negative for Ebola disease.