Mangalore, August 8th, 2014: Due to the outbreak of Ebola Virus in West African countries, the situation has worsened and the airlines over the globe are monitoring the situation very closely. Passengers arrive from epidemic hit countries like Liberia and Guinea and in Indian Airports, no system is in place to screen them.
A case had been reported of Mr Wilfred D’Souza, (resident of Surathkal) who worked for a timber company at Liberia. He was not screened for Ebola virus at the three Indian airports; the Indira Gandhi International Airport at Delhi, the Chatrapathi Shivaji International Airport at Mumbai and the Mangalore International Airport, when he arrived to Mangalore from Liberia on 5th of August. Even though several passengers arrived in India via Brussels, passengers were not screened. He said that he was expecting to be isolated, but was shocked to to know that no precautionary measures have been initiated here.
Even at Brussels the passengers were not screened. At Monrovia airport, the screening was done. Tympanic thermometers were used by a crew of medical experts to test the patients. Even hospitals have been closed down in Liberia due to the fear of virus attack; Mr D’Souza was stunned to know that airports in India have not considered the issue seriously. He said that the staffs at the Mangalore airport were not aware of a disease called Ebola. His intention of returning India was to keep himself away from the virus attack. 12 other Mangaloreans who stay at Liberia have prepared themselves to return India, he added.
MIA’s approach to the Health Department: The Mangalore International Airport is concerned about the Ebola outbreak in West African countries and has planned to screen the passengers arriving from the disease-hit nations at Mangalore. MIA Director Mr Radhakrishna said to the media that so far no screening system has been in place at the airport. He said that, they have spoken to the district’s health department in order to assist them to get the necessary screening equipments.
By :Thangamma M M
