Travel alert issued for Ebola virus

Hyderabad: With 50 people approaching the Institute of Preventive Medicine for yellow fever vaccine every month, it it is clear that the number of people travelling to African countries from Telangana state and AP is fairly high. Businessmen and corporate employees are the most frequent travellers to these countries.

The Ebola virus has claimed 887 lives in four African countries — Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria — said a World Health Organisation report. Dr B. Sampat, from the IPM, said, “A travel advisory has been issued. The virus is transmitted when one comes in contact with infected body fluids like blood, sweat, saliva, semen and other body discharges. It is not an airborne virus.”

An general alert has been sounded at Hyderabad airport. Those returning from African countries have been asked to report to the government hospital in case they are suffering from any of the symptoms. The virus attacks the blood system. Symptoms are fever, sore throat, headaches, body pain and hemorrhaging.

The virus attacks the blood system of the person and causes fever. Symptoms of the disease are fever, sore throat, headaches and body pain. Dr Krishna Prasad, general physician explained, “Nausea and diarrhoea may occur in very severe cases. But it is fatal.

The most important people who should take care are the healthcare workers as they are the ones who come in contact with the patient. It is very important to avoid direct contact with body fluids and frequent washing of hands is recommended.

A general alert has been sounded at Hyderabad airport and those who are returning from African countries have been asked to report to the government hospital in case they are suffering from any of these symptoms to ensure that they are not the carriers of the virus.

Diagnostic facilities for the virus have been established at the National Institute of Virology in Pune and National Centre for Disease Control in Delhi.