So far, no Ebola case in India, says Nadda

Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda Tuesday said that no case of Ebola has been reported in India so far.

"No case of Ebola virus disease has been reported in India so far...The government has taken a series of measures to prevent entry of Ebola virus disease into the country and to contain it rapidly, if a case is reported," Nadda said in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.

The minister added that passengers coming from affected countries are screened at international airports and major ports.

"The Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme is tracking such passengers arriving from affected countries or having history of contact with a suspect or confirmed Ebola case," Nadda said.

Two laboratories - National Institute of Virology, Pune, and National Centre for Disease Control, Delhi - are testing clinical samples of high risk passengers.

"State governments have identified isolation facilities. Training for master trainers and rapid response teams of the states/union territories have been accomplished. Personal Protective Equipments have been provided to the states/union territories," he said.

In a separate reply, Nadda said that 36 hospitals across India have been earmarked by the state/union territories for treatment of Ebola. These include the Ram Manohar Lohia and the Lok Nayak Hospitals in Delhi.