A businessman from the Republic of Congo, who was admitted to the Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad as a suspected Ebola case, has tested negative for the disease, Gujarat Health Minister Praful Pansheriya announced on Thursday.
Patient's Travel History
The patient arrived in India approximately 10 days ago from the Republic of Congo. He also spent time in Daman/Silvassa and Vadodara before being hospitalized. The 37-year-old businessman had traveled from Congo to Mumbai and later to Vadodara. After developing a fever, he was admitted to a private hospital in Vadodara and subsequently transferred to Ahmedabad Civil Hospital's Ebola ward as a precautionary measure.
Minister's Statement
In a post on X, Minister Pansheriya urged citizens not to panic or believe rumors about the Ebola scare. He emphasized relying only on information provided by the state health and family welfare department. The minister added that the state government is fully alert, prepared, and committed to protecting public health.
"The report of a suspected patient of the infectious disease caused by the Ebola virus originating from Congo has come negative. Citizens are requested not to have any kind of fear or panic, to stay away from rumors, and rely only on the official information provided by the health department," he posted.
Quarantine and Testing
On Wednesday, the state government reported that three individuals who came into contact with the businessman had been quarantined. Samples were sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune for testing. Two other persons who accompanied the businessman were admitted to isolated wards at SVP Hospital in Ahmedabad, while another contact was also isolated. The minister confirmed on Wednesday that the three quarantined individuals have not shown any symptoms of Ebola infection.
Airport Screening
Special screening arrangements and an isolation ward have been set up at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad. Intensive screening of passengers, especially those arriving from Uganda, Congo, and South Sudan, is being conducted.
