Hyderabad: Telangana has stepped up precautionary measures following an Ebola virus alert issued by the Union Health Ministry.
The alert comes amid concerns over the spread of the disease in several African countries.
Health officials said the chances of Ebola reaching the state remain low. However, they have intensified surveillance to prevent any possible transmission through international travellers.
Medical teams are screening passengers arriving from abroad at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Shamshabad.
Additionally, officials have opened special counters for travellers arriving from African nations.
These teams are monitoring passengers and checking for suspected symptoms.
The state government has also strengthened hospital preparedness as a precautionary measure.
Ebola virus alert prompts airport screening, hospital readiness
Meanwhile, Gandhi Hospital has established a dedicated Ebola State Nodal Centre with 25 beds.
Hospital Superintendent Dr Vani said the facility operates from eight rooms on the seventh floor of the main hospital building.
Furthermore, a three-member team from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) visited the hospital on Friday.
The team reviewed preparedness measures and emergency response systems.
NCDC Joint Director Dr Praveen Madala, AIIMS Bibinagar microbiologist Dr Rahul Gard and SRD Varun were part of the delegation.
The officials also held discussions with Gandhi Hospital Superintendent Prof Vani.
They met Ebola State Nodal Officer Prof Sunil Kumar and Associate Professor of General Medicine Dr Vamsi Krishna.
Additionally, the team reviewed isolation facilities and medical infrastructure.
Health officials said they would continue monitoring the situation closely.
They also said the department would follow all preventive measures recommended by the Centre.