One individual from Nagaland was screened for Ebola as a precaution between May and July 2026. The Centre says no Ebola case has been reported in India.
KOHIMA — The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has informed that one individual from Nagaland was screened for Ebola as a precautionary measure between May and July 2026, amid heightened surveillance following outbreaks of the disease in parts of Africa.
The information was provided by Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare JP Nadda in a written reply to a starred question in Parliament on July 31 regarding the Ebola virus outbreak and the precautionary measures taken by the government.
The minister stated that, as of now, no case of Ebola disease has been reported in India.
As part of enhanced surveillance, a total of 10,974 international passengers, including one from Nagaland, were screened at 19 airport cities between May 23 and July 28, 2026.
The screening covered travellers arriving from, or transiting through, Ebola-affected countries.
The government clarified that it has not imposed a blanket restriction on the entry of travellers from Ebola-affected countries.
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However, in accordance with the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for public health preparedness and response to Ebola disease, all international passengers arriving at designated Points of Entry were screened for any travel history to Ebola-affected countries, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Uganda and South Sudan, within the preceding 21 days.
The ministry noted that the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the Bundibugyo Ebola disease outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on May 17, 2026, following reported outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda.
Following the WHO declaration, the Union minister said the government strengthened surveillance and public health preparedness across the country in line with the WHO's temporary recommendations.
He said enhanced screening and surveillance measures were implemented at international airports and other Points of Entry.
In addition, advisories and SOPs covering surveillance, screening, quarantine, clinical management, laboratory testing, infection prevention and control practices, and case reporting were issued to all States and Union Territories to ensure a coordinated preparedness and response.
The minister added that these measures were undertaken in close coordination with the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Ministry of Civil Aviation, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Department of Biotechnology and other stakeholders.