Twitter
Advertisement

First Indian Ebola case detected in Delhi

Latest News
article-main
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

The dreaded Ebola virus has arrived in India. A 26-year-old Indian male travelling from Liberia to India was recently diagnosed with Ebola. He has been kept under isolation to prevent spread of the virus.

When was he diagnosed?
The infected male arrived at New Delhi airport from Liberia on November 10. He underwent the mandatory screening related to Ebola at the Delhi Airport. In a statement released by the Union health ministry, India said that he had recounted being affected by a febrile illness. He was admitted in a health facility in Liberia on September 11 and was discharged on September 30.

Was the man cured of Ebola in Liberia?
Yes, he carried a certificate of medical clearance from the ministry of health and social welfare from Liberia which declared him free of any clinical signs and symptoms and confirmed them negative by laboratory analysis for Ebola. After he produced the fitness certificate issued by the Liberian government, in order to be doubly sure of his infection status, he was isolated at the Airport Health Organization's Quarantine Centre at Delhi Airport.

Was Delhi airport diligent?
Three blood samples from him were tested at National Centre for Disease Control (NDC), Delhi between November 10 to 13. Even as the blood tests were were found to be negative for Ebola virus disease, as has been reported in the past, the virus may continue to be positive in secretions like urine and semen for a longer time. His semen and urine samples were sent to NDC for reconfirmation tests. His semen sample tested positive for Ebola virus. The tests for semen samples were repeated at National Institute of Virology, Pune, on November 17, 2014 which also tested positive. This was confirmed by the director general of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Dr VM Katoch on November 18.

Can the infection spread?
Yes. Even if the infected male shows no symptoms of Ebola, he continues to shed virus in body fluids. Presence of virus in his semen samples may have the possibility of transmitting the disease through sexual route up to 90 days from time of clinical cure.
The ministry press release states, "Currently, this person is not having any symptoms of the disease. However, he would be kept under isolation in the special health facility of Delhi Airport Health Organization, till such time his body fluids test negative and he is found medically fit to be discharged."

What precautions are being taken?
The release stated, "It is reiterated that the person concerned is a treated and cured case of Ebola Virus Disease. No cases of relapse of Ebola have been documented. All necessary precautions are being taken at the isolation facility. This would rule out even the remote possibility of spread of this disease by the sexual route. The situation is under control and there is no need for any alarm. However, all precautions are being taken in this regard."

Is there cause for worry for Indians?
Dr Om Srivastava, infectious disease expert in Jaslok Hospital in South Mumbai said, "There is no need to get into the state of anxiety and panic. We need to be aware and alert. So far the threat is not over but diminished."

Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement