Amid a growing Ebola outbreak in parts of Central and East Africa, health experts in India have urged caution but said there is no immediate reason for panic in the country.
Speaking about the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, NK Arora, President of AIIMS Bilaspur, said India’s surveillance systems and public health preparedness remain critical in preventing any possible spread.
“No Reason To Panic”: Dr NK Arora
Dr Arora said Ebola is not a rapidly spreading virus like respiratory infections, but stressed that international travel increases the need for strong monitoring systems.
“There is absolutely no reason for panicking because this is a disease or a virus which does not spread too rapidly,” he said.
However, he warned that countries must remain vigilant, particularly with travellers arriving from outbreak-hit regions such as Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
“We need to be very careful because there is a lot of mobility and people travel frequently,” he added.
India Strengthening Surveillance Systems
Dr Arora highlighted India’s “One Health Mission”, which focuses on monitoring diseases that spread from animals to humans.
According to him, India is working on innovative surveillance systems capable of detecting zoonotic spillovers early.
“We are looking at very innovative surveillance systems where the jumping of a virus or pathogen from animals to human beings can be monitored,” he said.
He also called for increased screening and vigilance at international airports, especially for passengers arriving from affected African nations.
Ebola Cases Rising In Africa
The latest Ebola outbreak has resulted in nearly 100 deaths in eastern Congo’s Ituri province, with several additional suspected cases.
The outbreak has also spread into neighbouring regions, prompting global concern.
The World Health Organization has classified the outbreak as a public health emergency, particularly due to the emergence of a less familiar Ebola strain known as Bundibugyo ebolavirus (BDB).
New Ebola Strain Raises Concern
Dr Arora explained that the current outbreak differs from previous Ebola crises caused by the Zaire strain.
“The virus strain is BDB (Bundibugyo ebolavirus), which is different from the previous Ebola outbreak,” he said.
Unlike the Zaire strain, for which vaccines and some treatments exist, there is currently no approved vaccine available for the Bundibugyo strain.
Although the mortality rate is lower than the Zaire variant, experts estimate fatalities from the current strain could still range between 30% and 50%.
Symptoms And Spread
Ebola typically begins with symptoms resembling a viral illness, including:
- Fever
- Weakness
- Body aches
- Fatigue
As the disease progresses, severe bleeding complications may develop, affecting multiple organs.
Dr Arora noted that Ebola spreads only after a person becomes symptomatic.
“The incubation period is anywhere between two days and 21 days,” he said.
The virus is believed to originate in fruit bats, which can infect monkeys and chimpanzees before transmission reaches humans.
India Has Not Reported Ebola Cases
Dr Arora said India has not recorded any Ebola outbreak so far and stressed that continued preparedness is essential.
“Fortunately, we haven’t had Ebola in India,” he said, adding that authorities must continue strengthening public health systems and monitoring international travel carefully.