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The Telangana government has decided to take stringent action against travellers arriving from Ebola-affected countries who provide false information during screening and monitoring procedures.
Health Minister Damodar Raja Narasimha on Monday directed officials to register cases against individuals found furnishing incorrect details, invoking relevant legal provisions, including the Epidemic Diseases Act.
The decision came after officials informed the Minister during a review meeting that some international travellers were not staying at the addresses they had declared upon arrival in Hyderabad.
Taking serious note of the issue, the Minister instructed authorities to ensure that travellers are clearly informed at the airport about the legal consequences of submitting false information. He stressed that all travellers arriving from Ebola-affected nations must provide accurate addresses, phone numbers and other essential details.
The order instructed authorities to treat any attempt to conceal information or furnish misleading data with utmost seriousness.
The review meeting assessed precautionary measures, surveillance systems, emergency response mechanisms and inter-departmental coordination put in place following Ebola outbreaks reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and South Sudan.
Officials informed the Minister that surveillance of domestic and international travellers arriving from affected countries has been intensified.
Health officials have strengthened screening procedures at Shamshabad Airport by collecting traveller information and monitoring health status for 21 days after arrival. They immediately isolate individuals displaying suspected symptoms at Gandhi Hospital.
Officials said doctors admitted two suspected cases for observation, and the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, tested their samples and returned negative results.
Medical teams have since collected fresh samples in line with ICMR guidelines and will discharge the individuals if the second test results are also negative.
Push for Better Communication and Coordination
To improve communication with foreign travellers, the Minister suggested seeking support from the English and Foreign Languages University (EFLU) by deploying language experts proficient in French, Arabic and Swahili at the airport round-the-clock. He also directed closer coordination among the Health Department, GHMC, airport authorities, police and other agencies to strengthen contact tracing.
The government maintained that all necessary arrangements are in place to prevent the spread of Ebola and urged citizens to rely only on official information while avoiding rumours and misinformation.
Also Read: Second Sudanese Student Isolated In Hyderabad After Suspected Ebola Symptoms At Airport
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