**Executive Summary**
Union Health Minister Shri J.P. Nadda reviewed India’s Ebola preparedness on May 25, 2026, following global emergency declarations by the WHO and Africa CDC. While no cases have been reported in India, the government has intensified surveillance at all points of entry and issued travel advisories. Key actions include the implementation of standardized protocols for screening, testing, and clinical management across all States and Union Territories.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Surveillance and Screening Measures**
* Enhanced screening and surveillance have been initiated at international airports and all other points of entry.
* The Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) and Airport Health Organizations must maintain heightened vigilance for unexplained febrile illness in travelers.
* Mandatory prompt reporting and management of any suspected cases have been established.
**Administrative Directives**
* The Ministry of Health, ICMR, and NCDC are directed to keep tracking, testing, and surveillance arrangements in a constant state of readiness.
* Coordination has been strengthened between the Health Ministry, Civil Aviation, Immigration authorities, and other relevant departments.
* The government is maintaining close coordination with international agencies to monitor the situation in Africa.
**Regulatory Guidelines and SOPs**
* **May 21, 2026:** SOPs issued regarding public health response and protocols for international passengers.
* **May 22, 2026:** Guidelines issued for hospital infection control, isolation facility preparedness, and the handling of human remains.
* **May 24, 2026:** Travel advisory issued for citizens to avoid non-essential travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan.
**Disease Information**
* Ebola is characterized as a severe viral haemorrhagic fever with a high mortality rate.
* There are currently no approved vaccines or specific treatments for the Bundibugyo virus strain.
**Impact Analysis**
**Ministry of Health, ICMR, and NCDC**
**Impact**
These bodies are designated as the lead agencies for national preparedness and technical response.
**Action Required**
Maintain a constant state of readiness for testing and tracking; monitor the situation proactively to safeguard public health.
**State and Union Territory Governments**
**Impact**
Local authorities are responsible for executing clinical management and infection prevention on the ground.
**Action Required**
Implement the shared SOPs on screening, quarantine, and laboratory testing; review local response measures and preparedness.
**International Travelers and Citizens**
**Impact**
Travelers are subject to increased health screenings and specific travel restrictions.
**Action Required**
Avoid non-essential travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan; comply with airport screening protocols and report any febrile symptoms.
**Airport Health Organizations and IDSP Units**
**Impact**
These units serve as the primary frontline for detecting potential imported cases.
**Action Required**
Maintain heightened vigilance for febrile illnesses and ensure immediate reporting and management of any suspected cases.
Key Entities Referenced
Shri J P Nadda: Union Health Minister who chaired the high-level review and directed the implementation of Ebola preparedness and surveillance measures across India.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare: The primary ministry coordinating national surveillance, public health preparedness, and the issuance of clinical management guidelines for Ebola disease.
National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC): The lead technical body tasked with tracking, testing, and maintaining a constant state of readiness for disease surveillance.
SOP on public health preparedness and response to Ebola disease: The official policy document establishing protocols for international passengers, screening, and public health responses to the Ebola outbreak.
Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP): The national initiative whose units are responsible for monitoring unexplained febrile illness and managing suspected cases among international travelers.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Union Health Minister Shri J P Nadda Reviews
Preparedness Measures for Ebola Disease in
view of rising cases in parts of Africa
India has not reported any case of Bundibugyo Ebola disease
till date: Shri Nadda
WHO Declares Ebola Outbreak a Public Health Emergency of
International Concern; Africa CDC Declares Public Health
Emergency of Continental Security
Shri Nadda directed the Secretary, Ministry of Health, the
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the National
Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to keep all necessary
arrangements for tracking, testing, and surveillance in a
constant state of readiness
Enhanced screening and surveillance measures have been
initiated at international airports and other points of entry,
and advisories along with SOPs on screening, quarantine,
clinical management, laboratory testing and infection
prevention practices have been shared with States/ UTs
Centre is Monitoring the Ebola Situation and Continues Close
Coordination with International Agencies
Posted On: 25 MAY 2026 8:24PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda reviewed preparedness and
surveillance measures for Ebola disease in view of the recent outbreak in some parts of Africa, here today.
At the outset, the Union Health Minister stated that “India has not reported any case of Bundibugyo Ebola
disease till date.” However, following the declaration of Ebola as a Public Health Emergency of
International Concern (PHEIC) by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Public Health Emergency
of Continental Security (PHECS) by the Africa CDC, the Government of India is closely monitoring the
Ebola situation in Africa and has proactively intensified surveillance and preparedness measures across the
country as an abundant precaution to safeguard public health.Shri Nadda noted that as a precautionary measure, the Union Health Ministry, in close coordination with
the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), DGHS, ICMR, Civil Aviation, Immigration authorities
and other concerned Ministries and Departments, has strengthened surveillance and public health
preparedness across the country. “Enhanced screening and surveillance measures have been initiated at
international airports and other points of entry, and advisories along with Standard Operating Procedures
(SOPs) on screening, quarantine, clinical management, laboratory testing and infection prevention
practices have been shared with all States and Union Territories.” Meetings have also been held with
States/UTs and concerned stakeholders to review preparedness and response measures. The Union
Minister also directed the Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Director General, Indian
Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Director, National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to keep
all necessary arrangements for tracking, testing, and surveillance in a constant state of readiness.On 24th May, 2026, India had issued a travel advisory for citizens to avoid non-essential travel to the
Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and South Sudan. Prior to that, on 21st May 2026, the Union
Health Ministry issued SOP on public health preparedness and response to Ebola disease encompassing
protocols to be followed by International passengers and on 22nd May 2026, guidelines were issued for
hospital infection control, isolation facility preparedness and for safe and dignified handling of human
remains of Ebola patients.
Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) units and Airport Health Organizations have been
instructed to maintain heightened vigilance for unexplained febrile illness among international travellers
and ensure prompt reporting and management of any suspected case.
Ebola disease is a severe viral haemorrhagic fever with a high mortality rate. At present, no approved
vaccines or specific treatments are available for Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus strain.Smt. Punya Salila Srivastava, Union Health Secretary; Dr Rajiv Bahl, Secretary, Dept. of Health Research
and DG, ICMR; Dr Sunita Sharma, DGHS; Shri Rakesh Gupta, Addl. Secretary, Union Health Ministry;
Smt. G S Chitra, Joint Secretary, Union Health Ministry and senior officials of the Union Health Ministry
were present at the meeting.
*****
SR
HFW/Preparedness for Ebola/25 May 2026/1
(Release ID: 2265153) Visitor Counter : 585
Read this release in: Urdu , ही , Odia , Tamil , Telugu