Andhra Pradesh on Ebola alert: screening at 3 airports, isolation wards set up
Synopsis
Andhra Pradesh has activated a full-spectrum Ebola alert — airport screening, port checks, road surveillance, isolation wards, and grassroots health worker briefings — before a single case has been confirmed in the state. With Congo and Uganda's outbreaks described as worsening daily, the state is treating this as a preparedness race against time.
Key Takeaways
Andhra Pradesh declared an Ebola virus alert on Sunday, 25 May 2025 , following WHO advisories and Central Government directives.
Passenger screening is active at international airports in Visakhapatnam , Tirupati , and Vijayawada for travellers from Congo , Uganda , and Sudan .
Dedicated isolation wards with 15 beds each are being set up in teaching hospitals at airport cities.
Surveillance extends to Visakhapatnam Port and road entry points, not just air travel.
State Minister Satyakumar Yadav confirmed adequate stocks of PPE kits and diagnostic testing kits are available.
Public advised to avoid non-essential travel to Congo , Uganda , and South Sudan .
Andhra Pradesh declared a state-wide Ebola virus alert on Sunday, 25 May 2025, activating passenger screening at international airports in Visakhapatnam, Tirupati, and Vijayawada amid escalating outbreaks in Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan. The move follows advisories from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Central Government, which has been tracking inbound travellers from Ebola-affected nations.
What the State Has Put in Place
State Minister for Medical and Health Satyakumar Yadav announced that the Medical and Health Department is coordinating closely with airport authorities across the three international airports to screen and test travellers arriving from Congo, Uganda, and Sudan. Dedicated isolation wards with 15 beds each are being established in teaching hospitals located in cities that host these airports.
Screening is not limited to air travel. The district administration has been directed to implement precautionary measures for individuals arriving via road routes as well, and discussions have been held with officials at Visakhapatnam Port to extend the surveillance net to sea entry points.
Quarantine Protocol and Contact Tracing
Anyone exhibiting symptoms of the Ebola virus will be placed under immediate quarantine, according to Minister Yadav. Close contacts of symptomatic individuals will also undergo prompt medical examination. He noted that individuals who arrived in the state from Ebola-affected countries within the past three weeks have been urged to contact district officials at the first sign of illness, enabling timely preventive and curative action.
Personnel across all tiers of the health system — from ANMs and ASHA workers upwards — are being alerted through virtual meetings, the minister confirmed.
Central Government Coordination and WHO Guidelines
The Central Government is actively monitoring the details of travellers entering India from Ebola-affected nations and is forwarding relevant information to state governments, including Andhra Pradesh. The state's response has been calibrated to WHO guidelines as well as specific directives from the Centre.
Drawing on lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, an action plan is being prepared to outline precautionary steps and emergency protocols in the event of a confirmed Ebola case in the state. Adequate stocks of PPE kits and virus diagnostic testing kits are reported to be available to meet immediate requirements.
Public Advisory
Minister Yadav appealed to the public to avoid non-essential travel to Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan, in line with the Central Government's advisory. He emphasised that early reporting of symptoms by recent returnees from affected countries is critical to preventing any potential spread within the state.
With the Ebola situation in Congo and Uganda described as escalating 'day by day', Andhra Pradesh's multi-layered response — spanning airports, ports, road entry points, and grassroots health workers — signals a proactive containment posture ahead of any confirmed domestic case.
Point of View
Not reactive quarantine, is what buys time. The real test will be whether the action plan being drafted translates into drilled protocols or remains a paper exercise. With three international airports and a major port, Andhra Pradesh is a higher-risk transit state than its inland peers, making this alert proportionate rather than alarmist.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has Andhra Pradesh declared an Ebola alert?
Andhra Pradesh declared the alert in response to escalating Ebola outbreaks in Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan, following advisories from the WHO and the Central Government. The state has activated screening and preparedness measures as a precaution, with no confirmed cases reported within the state.
Which airports are conducting Ebola screening in Andhra Pradesh?
Screening is under way at the international airports in Visakhapatnam, Tirupati, and Vijayawada. Travellers arriving from Congo, Uganda, and Sudan are being targeted for screening and diagnostic testing.
What happens if someone shows Ebola symptoms in Andhra Pradesh?
Anyone displaying symptoms will be immediately placed under quarantine, and close contacts will undergo prompt medical examination. Isolation wards with 15 beds each are being set up in teaching hospitals at cities hosting international airports.
Who should contact authorities, and how?
Individuals who have arrived from Ebola-affected countries within the past three weeks and develop any symptoms are advised to immediately inform district officials. Early reporting is described as critical to enabling timely preventive and curative measures.
Is travel to Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan advised?
The state government, in line with the Central Government's advisory, has appealed to the public to refrain from travelling to Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan unless absolutely necessary.
