A 28-year-old woman who recently arrived from Uganda has been isolated at a government facility in Bengaluru after reporting mild body ache, prompting precautionary surveillance for Ebola Virus Disease. The traveller landed at Kempegowda International Airport on May 23 via Ahmedabad and was later shifted to the state-run Epidemic Diseases Hospital in Indiranagar.
As per a report by Hindustan Times, health officials said that she did not display symptoms during airport screening. However, fatigue was noticed during follow-up monitoring, which led authorities to act cautiously. She had initially checked into a hotel before being moved to the hospital for observation.
No confirmed Ebola case in India: Centre
The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare clarified on Wednesday that no Ebola case has been confirmed in the country so far, adding that the woman’s condition remains stable.
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“The Government of India is closely monitoring the evolving Ebola Virus Disease situation in view of recent outbreaks reported in parts of Africa,” the ministry said in a statement.
Samples sent to Pune, results expected soon
Medical teams collected samples from the patient and sent them to the National Institute of Virology in Pune for testing. Results are likely within two days. Officials added that protocol requires repeat testing after 48 hours of observation.
Bengaluru District Surgeon and Medical Superintendent of the Epidemic Diseases Hospital, Anil Kumar, said, “She developed a mild body ache after which samples were collected and sent to the National Institute of Virology in Pune.”
He confirmed that no additional symptoms have emerged so far and that the patient remains under close watch.
State monitoring situation closely
Karnataka health authorities are continuing to assess the case while maintaining vigilance. Principal Secretary Ritvik Ranjanam Pandey said there is no clear indication yet linking the symptoms to Ebola.
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“At this stage, there is no clarity on whether the symptoms are linked to Ebola. Since she appeared fatigued during screening, airport health officials decided to send her samples for examination,” he said.
Isolation facilities activated across Karnataka
As a precaution, dedicated quarantine and treatment centres have been identified. In Bengaluru, the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Diseases has been designated as the isolation centre, while the Epidemic Diseases Hospital will handle quarantine and treatment. In Mangaluru, Srinivas Port Hospital will serve as the quarantine facility, with Wenlock District Hospital identified for isolation and care.
The Centre said surveillance remains active at entry points and across the public health system in coordination with state authorities, following World Health Organisation guidelines.
