India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has issued fresh operational directives for airlines after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).
The move is aimed at strengthening airport surveillance, early detection, and containment measures to prevent the spread of the virus through international air travel.
Key DGCA Directives for Airlines
Airlines operating flights connected to Uganda and Congo have been instructed to implement strict health screening procedures, including:
- Mandatory collection of self-declaration forms before passenger disembarkation
- In-flight health announcements regarding Ebola symptoms
- Immediate reporting mechanisms for suspected cases
- Enhanced onboard isolation procedures
Symptoms Passengers Must Report
Passengers have been advised to immediately inform airline crew or airport authorities if they experience symptoms such as:
- Fever
- Weakness
- Muscle pain
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Unexplained bleeding
The DGCA has also warned travelers to seek medical attention if symptoms develop within 21 days of arrival in India.
SOP for Suspected Cases Onboard
Under the new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP):
- Suspected passengers should be shifted to the rear section of the aircraft.
- Three rows surrounding the passenger should ideally remain vacant.
- Airlines must maintain adequate stocks of:
- PPE kits
- Triple-layer masks
- Disposable gloves
- Hand sanitisers
- Bio-hazard disposal bags.
