New Delhi: The Central government reviewed the preparedness for tackling the dreaded Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) disease which has claimed hundreds of lives in Western Africa.
Union Cabinet Secretary Ajit Seth on Tuesday held a review meeting with Secretaries and senior officers of Ministries of Health, Civil Aviation, Home Affairs, External Affairs and Information & Broadcasting, a press communiqué released by the government said here.
Seth was briefed on the scale of the EVD and steps taken by the different Ministries towards prevention and surveillance of the suspected cases.
The Cabinet Secretary directed for creation of a portal for systematic, easy and effective information sharing between the different Ministries on the passengers travelling to India from the different affected countries which will enable more effective surveillance and tracking of the suspected cases.
The Health Ministry will train the immigration officers at the identified airports on how to deal with the passengers travelling from the affected countries.
It was also decided in the meeting to sensitize the cabin crew of different airlines towards the nature of the EVD to enable them to understand the issue and deal more effectively with the passengers.
The Health Ministry will create awareness among the common public through awareness generating advertisements and the electronic media. The Ministry once again on Tuesday reiterated that there is no confirmed or even suspect case of EVD in the country.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday reported 1848 cases including 1013 death due to EVD. The worst-hit country is Sierra Leone followed by Liberia and Guinea.
