Hyderabad: Telangana has intensified Ebola surveillance and strengthened screening measures at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Shamshabad as a precaution against the viral disease, Health Minister Damodar Raja Narasimha said on Monday.
The minister reviewed Ebola preparedness at a meeting in the Secretariat and directed officials to maintain strict monitoring of passengers arriving from affected countries.
He said authorities will monitor travellers arriving from Ebola-affected nations for 21 days. Additionally, health teams have increased surveillance and screening procedures at the airport.
The minister said two suspected Ebola cases tested negative. However, officials conducted additional sample tests for confirmation.
Ebola surveillance stepped up at airport
Raja Narasimha said Gandhi Hospital has readied isolation facilities to handle any potential cases. Meanwhile, officials from the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology informed the meeting that Ebola testing kits had arrived and testing had begun.
The minister warned that authorities would register legal cases against passengers who provide false addresses during screening and monitoring.
He also directed officials to invoke provisions of the Epidemic Diseases Act wherever necessary. Furthermore, he instructed authorities to deploy French-, Arabic- and Swahili-speaking staff at the airport to assist international travellers.
The minister stressed the need for close coordination among the Health Department, Police Department and Airport authorities. According to him, such coordination is essential for effective contact tracing and rapid response.
Ebola surveillance measures follow central guidelines
Raja Narasimha said the state government has taken all necessary precautions to prevent the spread of Ebola in Telangana.
He urged the public not to panic or believe rumours. Instead, he said people should rely on official information issued by health authorities.
The minister added that the Telangana government remains on high alert and is implementing measures in line with guidelines issued by the Union Health Ministry and the Indian Council of Medical Research.
డెమోక్రాటిక్ రిపబ్లిక్ ఆఫ్ కాంగో, ఉగాండా, దక్షిణ సూడాన్ దేశాల్లో ఎబోలా వైరస్ వ్యాప్తి నేపథ్యంలో.. రాష్ట్రంలో చేపట్టిన ముందస్తు జాగ్రత్తలు, పర్యవేక్షణ చర్యలు, వివిధ శాఖల మధ్య సమన్వయం, ఎమర్జన్సీ రెస్పాన్స్ సిస్టమ్, తదితర అంశాలపై ఆరోగ్యశాఖ మంత్రి దామోదర్ రాజనర్సింహ సోమవారం… pic.twitter.com/MwegE8k3xn
— Damodar Raja Narasimha (@DamodarCilarapu) June 8, 2026