Blood samples of a man from Hyderabad sent to Delhi for Ebola testing

The 52 year old man returned from Nigeria few weeks back and displayed no symptoms at Mumbai Airport. About 4 days later he was suffering from fever and took treatment at a corporate hospital in Hyderabad, but was referred to the state-run Gandhi Hospital. The health officers in Hyderabad have now sent the samples to National Centre for Disease Control as a measure of caution. 

"As per the definition of WHO, he is not a suspect also. Nigeria is already declared as Ebola free by WHO on October 19," said Dr K Subhakar, the nodal officer for infectious diseases like Ebola.

"This person has come from Nigeria. He was screened at Mumbai airport. (He had) no symptoms and he came to Hyderabad by domestic flight. After four days, he developed a fever. Because he came from African countries, they have come to Gandhi (hospital). We want to be more cautious," he said.

Since the man travelled in a common flight where passengers from African countries may have also travelled, samples were sent for testing to National Centre for Disease Control in Delhi altough fever had reduced and the patient is kept in isolation, he added.

The government is taking all necessary measures against the spread of Ebola and has put in an elaborate procedure for checking and screening of air travellers. 

Also Read: Man from Rajasthan shows Ebola-like symptoms, kept in isolation ward

(With Agency Inputs)