Panaji: Following the Centre's directive to all international airports to monitor passengers exhibiting symptoms of Ebola, the Goa International Airport at Dabolim has reviewed its existing health screening protocols and standard operating procedures (SOPs). The airport health office (APHO), which operates under the Centre's director general of health services, conducted a briefing and sensitization meeting for all stakeholders at the airport.
Preparedness and Awareness
"No case of Ebola has been found in India and we hope that it stays that way. We are preparing for it. We discussed our preparedness, the SOPs to be followed and the APHO explained the medical difference between Covid-19 and Ebola, the difference in precautions," said airport director Akash Deep.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued SOPs for airlines following the World Health Organisation's declaration of the Ebola disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda as a public health emergency of international concern.
Passenger Guidelines
Passengers have been advised to immediately report symptoms such as fever, weakness, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhoea or bleeding to airline crew members as well as immigration or medical authorities upon arrival. Airlines have also been instructed to maintain adequate stocks of triple-layer masks, disposable gloves, PPE kits, hand sanitisers and biohazard disposal bags.
Goa does not have any direct flights to the African region. The DGCA has further urged passengers that if symptoms develop within 21 days of arrival in India, they should seek medical assistance from designated hospitals and inform the airport health office.
Contact Points and Self-Declaration
"We took a round around the terminal to identify the various contact points because this virus is more to do with contact," said Deep.
The DGCA stated that airlines operating connectivity with Uganda and Congo are required to ensure mandatory filing and collection of self-declaration forms before passengers disembark.
