A 28-year-old woman from Uganda who arrived at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport on May 23 has been isolated at the Epidemic Diseases Hospital in Indiranagar as a precaution after airport health officials noticed possible signs linked to Ebola infection. Her samples have been sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune for testing amid heightened global concern over the disease.
According to health department officials, the woman did not show clear symptoms such as fever. However, airport authorities observed signs including fatigue and collected samples for testing. She initially checked into a hotel after arriving from Uganda but was later shifted to the state-run hospital after developing mild symptoms like body ache. Officials said her condition is stable and she is under close monitoring.
Authorities added that a repeat test will also be conducted as per protocol while awaiting the initial test results from NIV Pune.
The precautionary measures come after the World Health Organization on May 17 declared the ongoing Ebola outbreaks in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo a “Public Health Emergency of International Concern” (PHEIC).
Following the alert, the Karnataka health department issued an advisory asking travellers returning from Ebola-affected countries to monitor their health for 21 days and report any symptoms immediately. Rapid Response Teams have also been instructed to carry out surveillance and contact tracing if required.
As part of preparedness efforts, Bengaluru’s Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Diseases has been designated as the isolation centre, while the Epidemic Diseases Hospital in Indiranagar will function as the quarantine and treatment facility. In Mangaluru, Srinivas Port Hospital has been identified as the quarantine centre and Wenlock District Hospital as the designated isolation and treatment facility.
