NEW DELHI: A 52-year-old Border Security Force (BSF) constable has been admitted to the isolation ward at Dr Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital’s Ebola Nursing Home, following the development of fever during his mandatory quarantine. This incident comes after his recent return from the Democratic Republic of Congo, where he served as part of an Indian UN peacekeeping contingent.
The constable arrived in India on July 11 and was placed under a 21-day quarantine at the Airport Health Organisation (APHO) facility due to his return from an Ebola-endemic region. On the evening of the 20th day of his quarantine, he reported symptoms including fever and body aches.
In adherence to established health protocols, the constable was transferred to the designated Ebola isolation unit at RML Hospital. His blood sample has been dispatched to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune for confirmatory testing, which is currently pending.
Health officials have stated that the patient is being closely monitored and managed in strict isolation. As it stands, the case remains suspected, and no confirmation of Ebola infection has been made.
India has instituted rigorous screening and quarantine procedures for personnel returning from regions affected by Ebola. Suspected cases are immediately isolated, and samples are tested at designated reference laboratories to ensure accurate diagnostics before any diagnosis is officially confirmed.
This incident underscores the ongoing vigilance required to combat potential health threats from international travel, particularly from regions where viral outbreaks are prevalent.
