New Delhi: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued directives for airlines in the wake of World Health Organisation (WHO) declaring the Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).
No case of Ebola virus disease has been reported in India so far, but Union Health Minister J P Nadda reviewed preparedness and surveillance measures to prevent any possible outbreak in India.
The country’s airline regulatory body said in an order dated May 22 that the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has issued standard operating procedures for health preparedness in view of the outbreak.
Countries bordering Congo and Uganda, have been assessed as being at a “high risk of disease transmission,” the order said.
As per the standard operating procedure (SOP), airlines operating direct or indirect connectivity with Uganda and Congo have been instructed to ensure mandatory filing and collection of Self-Declaration Forms from passengers originating from or transiting through affected countries before arrival in India.
In-flight announcements
Further, airlines have been directed to make specific in-flight announcements on Ebola symptoms and reporting procedures.
“In view of the current threat of Ebola disease in certain countries, any traveller who has fever, weakness, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhoea, rash, bleeding, should report immediately to the airlines crew and at the immigration/medical unit on arrival. This is important for early diagnosis for prompt management and preventing spread,” the SOP states.
Self-declaration form
“All travellers (passengers and crew), irrespective of nationality, will be required to fill a Self-Declaration Form and hand it over at the immigration/designated counter. In case any of these symptoms develop within 21 days of arrival in India, the traveller should seek medical assistance from the designated hospitals and also inform the airport health office.”
Protocol for suspected Ebola cases
The regulator laid down certain containment measures to be followed if a passenger displays symptoms during a flight.
All concerned airlines have to designate a cabin crew member to care exclusively for the symptomatic passenger and relocate the person to the rear end of the aircraft to minimise exposure to other passengers.
The other guidelines airlines have to follow are:
* Keep three rows in front, behind and beside the suspected case vacant as far as possible
* Assign a separate washroom exclusively for the suspected passenger
* Provide masks and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
* Offer triple-layer masks to passengers seated nearby
* Ensure complete disinfection of the aircraft immediately after landing
Crew to share details of suspected passenger
The crew has to promptly share details of the suspected passenger with the Airport Health Organization (APHO), including seat number, observed symptoms, details of nearby passengers for 21-day symptom monitoring, and information about the designated caregiver or flight attendant.
Airlines have been advised to conduct training for crew members on public health measures to be followed during flights.
Every aircraft on those routes must be equipped with — first-aid kits and universal precaution kits as per ICAO guidelines; Triple-layer masks; Disposable hand gloves; PPE kits; Hand sanitisers; Bio-hazard disposal bags.
#BreakingNews | DGCA issues SOP for Ebola preparedness at Indian airports and airlines following WHO’s declaration of the outbreak as a Public Health Emergency.
Passengers arriving from/transiting through affected countries including DR Congo, Uganda and South Sudan to undergo… pic.twitter.com/bFbqbFXG9K
— DD News (@DDNewslive) May 25, 2026
