First Sudanese national isolated in Hyderabad tests negative for Ebola

A Sudanese national who had been placed in isolation at Gandhi Hospital, Secunderabad, after being detected with fever at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) has tested negative for Ebola, confirmed Telangana Minister for Health C. Damodar Raja Narasimha on Friday (June 5).

The samples were sent to the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) which confirmed that the test result was negative for Ebola. “We will now inform the surveillance officer about the negative test result. The officer will decide the next course of action, including the patient’s discharge from isolation,” said Gandhi Hospital Superintendent Vani.

Meanwhile, the test report of another Sudanese national in his 20s who was admitted to Gandhi Hospital on Thursday night after developing fever while under quarantine is still awaited. The patient’s samples have also been sent to CCMB.

“Surveillance measures continue to remain in place in accordance with the Government of India’s guidelines. Health screening of international passengers is being carried out at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, to identify any travellers exhibiting symptoms of concern,” the Minister added.

Passengers found to have symptoms during screening are being shifted to the isolation ward established at Gandhi Hospital, where clinical evaluation is conducted and samples are collected for laboratory testing. Asymptomatic individuals are being advised to remain in home isolation and are being monitored for 21 days as a precautionary measure.