Ebola Precautions – DGCA Introduces Strict Health Protocols for International Airlines
Ebola Precautions – India’s aviation regulator has issued comprehensive guidelines for airlines operating flights connected to Ebola-affected African nations after concerns over possible transmission risks increased globally. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) released a detailed Standard Operating Procedure late Monday, making it mandatory for airlines arriving from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda to follow enhanced health screening and onboard safety measures.
Mandatory Health Declarations for Travelers
According to the new directives, all passengers arriving in India after originating from or travelling through the Democratic Republic of Congo or Uganda must complete a Self Declaration Form before leaving the aircraft. Airlines have been instructed to collect these forms and submit them to immigration or designated airport health officials upon arrival.
The DGCA stated that the move is intended to strengthen surveillance systems at airports and reduce the possibility of Ebola entering the country through international travel routes. Indian carriers including Air India, IndiGo and Akasa Air operate routes that may indirectly bring passengers from the affected regions, alongside several foreign airlines.
The regulator has also instructed airlines to make specific in-flight health announcements informing travelers about Ebola symptoms. Passengers experiencing fever, fatigue, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhoea, skin rashes or unexplained bleeding have been advised to immediately inform cabin crew members and report to airport medical authorities after landing.
Monitoring Required for 21 Days
Under the latest protocol, passengers and crew members arriving from affected countries will remain under health observation for 21 days following their arrival in India. Authorities said travelers who develop symptoms during this period must seek treatment at designated hospitals and notify airport health officials without delay.
The DGCA emphasized that early reporting and medical intervention are necessary to prevent wider transmission and to ensure proper containment if any suspected infection is identified.
Special Procedures for Suspected Ebola Cases on Flights
The aviation regulator has also introduced detailed onboard containment procedures for flights where a passenger shows Ebola-related symptoms during the journey.
Airlines have been directed to assign one cabin crew member exclusively to care for the suspected patient. The passenger should be moved to the rear section of the aircraft wherever feasible, while nearby seating areas must remain vacant to reduce exposure risks.
The SOP further states that a separate lavatory should be reserved for the affected traveler. Cabin crew must provide the passenger with protective gear and a face mask, while passengers seated close to the suspected case should also receive triple-layer masks as a precautionary measure.
Authorities have instructed airlines to maintain records of passengers seated around the suspected individual, along with details of the crew member assigned for assistance. This information will be shared with airport health teams for follow-up monitoring after landing.
Aircraft Disinfection and Controlled Deboarding
The DGCA order also requires complete sanitisation and disinfection of aircraft immediately after arrival if a suspected Ebola case is reported onboard.
To avoid crowding and unnecessary exposure, airlines must coordinate with Air Traffic Control and airport operators to park such aircraft in isolated bays. Passengers without symptoms will leave the aircraft first, while the suspected traveler and the assisting crew member must disembark last under the supervision of health officials.
Airport Health Organisation teams will conduct thermal screening and additional medical checks for passengers arriving from the affected regions.
Crew Training and Protective Equipment
Airlines have additionally been instructed to conduct focused training sessions for pilots and cabin crew on handling public health emergencies during international flights. The regulator said aircraft must carry properly equipped first-aid kits and universal precaution kits in line with International Civil Aviation Organisation standards.
Carriers have also been told to maintain sufficient supplies of protective equipment including masks, gloves, hand sanitisers, PPE kits and bio-hazard disposal bags to deal with any emergency situation effectively.