Pune, 25th May 2026: Following the World Health Organization’s (WHO) declaration of the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), health authorities in Pune have stepped up surveillance and screening measures at the city’s international airport.
Acting on directions issued by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Ebola screening for international passengers began at Pune International Airport on Friday.
Travelers arriving from international transit hubs, especially those with recent travel history to Ebola-affected countries or high-risk regions, are undergoing thermal screening and health checks.
Passengers are also required to submit self-declaration forms mentioning their travel history over the last 21 days, including visits to affected African nations such as the DRC and Uganda.
Although Pune does not operate direct flights to Ebola-affected countries, officials said the risk cannot be completely ruled out because passengers may arrive through connecting international flights. On average, around 150 international passengers arrive in Pune daily through flights from Dubai and Bangkok.
To strengthen preparedness, the Pune-based National Institute of Virology has confirmed that it is fully equipped to test samples from suspected Ebola cases identified during airport screening or community surveillance.
Health officials said one passenger in Pune with recent travel links to Ebola-affected regions has been screened so far, and the test result was negative. Across Maharashtra, 23 such passengers have been identified and screened, including 22 in Mumbai.
The Centre has also instructed states to keep isolation wards, dedicated ambulances, trained healthcare staff, personal protective equipment (PPE), and laboratory facilities ready as precautionary measures.
India has not reported any Ebola cases linked to the Bundibugyo virus strain so far. Officials stressed that the current measures in Pune and across the country are preventive steps aimed at ensuring early detection and rapid response if required.
