New Delhi: Amid growing concerns over the Ebola outbreak in parts of Central Africa, health experts and the Union Health Ministry have urged people in India not to panic, stressing that the current risk to the country remains minimal and that surveillance systems are being strengthened as a precaution.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is closely monitoring the outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus strain in parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda after the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared it a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).

Senior officials from the Ministry, including teams from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), ICMR and other departments, have reviewed the situation and initiated preventive public health measures.

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A senior Health Ministry official clarified on Monday that no Ebola case has been reported in India so far. However, surveillance and preparedness systems are being strengthened at airports, ports and within the public health network as a precautionary measure.

Authorities are reviewing SOPs for screening, quarantine, surveillance and case management. Laboratory preparedness is also being enhanced, with NIV Pune designated for testing and additional labs expected to be onboarded in phases.

The Centre is also coordinating with multiple agencies to monitor international travel from affected regions while ensuring isolation and quarantine facilities remain ready at major entry points.

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The Ministry urged citizens and media outlets not to spread panic or circulate unverified information, asserting that India’s healthcare system remains alert and prepared to tackle any emerging situation.

Meanwhile, AIIMS Bilaspur President Dr NK Arora also reassured the public, saying there is no immediate reason for concern in India despite the outbreak in Africa, which has reportedly claimed nearly 100 lives in eastern Congo’s Ituri province.

"No, there is absolutely no reason for panicking, because this is a disease or a virus which does not spread too rapidly. But in the process, the virus leads to countries, particularly from geographical areas where the virus is currently circulating, so we need to be very careful, and because there is a lot of mobility, people travel, and so we need to be careful," Dr Arora told ANI.

Highlighting India’s preparedness, Dr Arora spoke about the country’s One Health mission and its surveillance systems designed to track diseases that jump from animals to humans.

"There is a scare, and I think with the announcement of the public health emergency of international concern, in fact, India is one of those few countries. We have a one health mission, and we are looking at very innovative surveillance systems where the jumping of a virus or a pathogen from animals to human beings can be monitored, and we are establishing that surveillance. So a lot of efforts are being made, and we will continue. I think the country should continue to work and strengthen that system," he added.