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Ebola scare: BMC asks Centre for dedicated isolation facility

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With the United States reeling under an Ebola scare after two Dallas nurses tested positive for the virus this week, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's health department has asked the Centre, via the state health department, for a robust isolation facility.

Presently, the Jogeshwari trauma centre and Kasturba hospital are assigned to isolate suspected Ebola patients.

Last week, the BMC wrote to the Directorate of Health Services (DHS) and the Centre to standardise isolation facility required for those suspected to have Ebola as well as those who have it.

Epidemiology department in-charge in BMC Dr Mangala Gomare said, "We are keeping a close watch on developments on the Ebola front. So far, there has been no scare in Mumbai, and screening of passengers coming from Ebola-hit countries is being done at the airport. We have submitted a proposal on our requirements for Ebola to the state government; it will be sent to the central government."

In the list of requirements, the BMC has also asked for round the clock intensivists and dedicated ventilator supports.

In the wake of Ebola threat in the US, DHS held an emergency meeting, where it was decided to strengthen the isolation facility in Mumbai, Nagpur, Pune and Aurangabad. According to sources in the state health department, health officials and experts also decided to have stringent screening and streamlining of passengers coming from Ebola-hit countries.

Dr Pradeep Awate, state surveillance officer, who was present in the meeting held on Friday by the state health department, said, "The infrastructure that we have for Ebola cases is enough, but we are trying to follow the WHO guidelines and acquire/set up whatever is not there. We plan to have a state-of-the-art facility for infectious diseases."

Infectious disease experts, however, tend to defy the state's preparedness on Ebola. "We need stringent mechanism for screening, quarantine and treatment. Apart from an isolation facility, we also need to think about disinfecting people coming from Ebola-suspect areas and keep an eye on them even if they don't show initial symptoms," said a doctor.

Another doctor talked about how the isolation facility in our government hospitals doesn't follow international guidelines on infection control. "The facility should have separate air duct, ventilation, hepa filters, reverse cycle air condition, and have facility for air vents sterilisation to avoid air-borne infection, among other things."

Airport measures
Passengers at city's international airport are being categorised on the basis of a health card they fill information in about their travel to Ebola-hit countries, and contact with affected people in the last 21 days, among other details. They are then categorised into high risk (those with fever detected at airport), medium risk (those with contact history), and low risk (those who do not have symptoms or a history of contact)

High-risk patients are taken to the quarantine facility, while medium-risk ones have to provide contact details to airport officials, who send it to civic health officials in Mumbai

So far, 5,000 passengers travelling via Air Arabia, Emirates, Etihad, Fly Dubai, Gulf Air, Kuwait Airways, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, Rak Air, Royal Jordanian Airlines and Saudi Arabian Airlines have been surveyed

Take note
Mumbaikars can dial the local disaster helpline (022-24114000), while those in the rest of the state can call on 020-26125792. The Union health ministry has opened a 24-hour Emergency Operation Centre, from August 9. The helpline numbers are 011-23061469, 23063205, 23061302

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