Chennai:The health department officers at Chennai airport have started passive surveillance for any persons affected by the Ebola virus at the point of entry. This follows a directive from the Centre.
"We have been advised not to create any panic. We are only following a preventive procedure. Every system is in place and we have alerted all the agencies like airlines, immigration, CISF, Airports Authority of India and their staff about the virus and its visible symptoms," the officer added.
The staff at the airport has been instructed to enquire of passengers about fever and inform them about Ebola-virus symptoms. "If there is a suspicion, then they have been advised to refer the passenger to us. We will then send them to any of the above two hospitals. At present we don't do any separate screening even though our officials would be present at the terminal round the clock," the health department officer said.
When asked about special equipment for screening, the officer said that the health ministry would arrange for it, as and when required. "We don't have enough manpower or special equipment to screen for the Ebola virus at the airport now. When the health ministry decides to start active screening, then they would help us through the state health directorate and provide us officials and equipment," the officer added.
11/08/14 S. Sujatha/Deccan Chronicle
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"We have been advised not to create any panic. We are only following a preventive procedure. Every system is in place and we have alerted all the agencies like airlines, immigration, CISF, Airports Authority of India and their staff about the virus and its visible symptoms," the officer added.
The staff at the airport has been instructed to enquire of passengers about fever and inform them about Ebola-virus symptoms. "If there is a suspicion, then they have been advised to refer the passenger to us. We will then send them to any of the above two hospitals. At present we don't do any separate screening even though our officials would be present at the terminal round the clock," the health department officer said.
When asked about special equipment for screening, the officer said that the health ministry would arrange for it, as and when required. "We don't have enough manpower or special equipment to screen for the Ebola virus at the airport now. When the health ministry decides to start active screening, then they would help us through the state health directorate and provide us officials and equipment," the officer added.
11/08/14 S. Sujatha/Deccan Chronicle
