A 28-year-old woman from Uganda has been isolated at Bengaluru’s state-run Epidemic Diseases Hospital in Indiranagar after developing mild body ache and fatigue days after arriving in India, triggering precautionary Ebola surveillance measures as health authorities await laboratory test results [HT].
The woman arrived at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport on May 23 after travelling from Uganda via Ahmedabad. Officials monitoring passengers arriving from Ebola-affected regions at designated entry points later noticed signs of fatigue and mild symptoms during follow-up checks, prompting her transfer to the hospital as a precautionary measure.
Centre Clarifies: No Confirmed Ebola Case in India
The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Wednesday issued a statement clarifying that no Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) case has been confirmed in India. The ministry said the woman remains stable under observation at the hospital.
“In a statement, the Centre said it was closely monitoring the evolving Ebola situation following recent outbreaks reported in parts of Africa,” officials said.
Samples Sent to National Institute of Virology, Pune
Health authorities confirmed that samples collected from the woman have been sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune for advanced testing. The results are expected within the next two days.
Bengaluru District Surgeon and Medical Superintendent of the Epidemic Diseases Hospital, Anil Kumar, said the woman did not display symptoms during initial airport screening but continued to remain under watch because of her high-risk travel history from Uganda.
“She developed a mild body ache after which samples were collected and sent to the National Institute of Virology in Pune,” Kumar said, according to Hindustan Times.
Standard Protocol: Repeat Test After 48 Hours
The official added that the woman has not developed any additional symptoms and remains under observation at the hospital. As part of standard Ebola surveillance protocol, a repeat test will also be conducted after 48 hours of observation to rule out any possibility of infection.
Health department officials said the traveller had initially checked into a hotel after arriving in Bengaluru before authorities shifted her to the hospital as a precautionary measure once symptoms developed.
Karnataka, Centre Continue Surveillance Measures
Ritvik Ranjanam Pandey, principal secretary of Karnataka’s health department, said officials were still trying to determine whether the symptoms had any connection to Ebola virus disease.
“At this stage, there is no clarity on whether the symptoms are linked to Ebola. Since she appeared fatigued during screening, airport health officials decided to send her samples for examination,” Pandey said.
The Centre said surveillance and screening operations are continuing at designated entry points and across the public health system in coordination with the Karnataka government and other agencies, in line with World Health Organisation guidelines.
Why This Matters
The incident comes amid recent Ebola outbreaks reported in parts of Africa, prompting India to strengthen surveillance at international airports and other entry points. Passengers arriving from Ebola-affected regions are being closely monitored, and health officials have been trained to identify early warning signs of the virus.
Ebola Virus Disease is a severe, often fatal illness in humans, with symptoms including sudden onset of fever, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhoea and rash. The incubation period is 2 to 21 days, and early detection is critical for containment.
Until test results are confirmed, the woman will remain isolated at the Epidemic Diseases Hospital, and authorities will continue monitoring all close contacts as per standard protocol.
