Bihar Prepared to Tackle the Threat of Ebola; Special Directives Issued to All 38 Districts. Bihar ready to deal with the threat of Ebola, special instructions to all 38 districts

In view of the rapid spread of Ebola virus in African countries, the Government of India has instructed to maintain vigilance across the country. In this context, the Health Department of Bihar Government has come on complete alert mode. The State Health Committee held an important meeting on Friday, in which the ‘Health Advisory’ issued by the Union Health Ministry was discussed. Civil surgeons and health officials of all 38 districts of Bihar have been given clear instructions to increase surveillance and prepare for prevention of Ebola.

Emphasis on monitoring and isolation of passengers

Bihar Health Department has prepared a ‘Standard Operating Procedure’ (SOP) to prevent Ebola. The main focus under this strategy is on the following points:

• Travel History Check: Special monitoring will be kept on passengers returning to Bihar from African countries (especially South Africa, Sudan and South Sudan).

• Identification of suspects: The health of those who have come from these affected countries or have come in contact with such travelers will be thoroughly examined.

• Isolation: If any suspected patient is found, he will be immediately identified and isolated so that the infection can be prevented from spreading.

• Availability of medicines: Hospitals have been asked to ensure stock of essential medicines and protective equipment (PPE kits) for the treatment of Ebola symptoms (fever, diarrhea, vomiting).

Why is this situation sensitive for Bihar?

The threat of Ebola is also important for Bihar because more than 63,000 Bhojpuri-speaking people of Bihar origin are settled in African countries, especially South Africa. Overall, about 70,000 people of Bihari origin are employed in African countries. These people keep coming and going to Bihar continuously, in view of which the administration does not want to take any kind of negligence.

Special preparations in hospitals of Patna

Preparations to deal with Ebola have been started in major hospitals of the capital Patna:

• PMCH: Superintendent Dr. Rajiv Kumar Singh said that no case of Ebola has been reported in the state yet, yet the process of keeping a separate isolation ward ready has been started as a precaution.

• IGIMS: According to media in-charge Dr. Vibhuti Prasanna Sinha, as soon as detailed guidelines are received from the state government, the hospital administration will fully prepare its wards and resources for the treatment of Ebola patients.

Ebola symptoms and prevention

Ebola is a highly contagious and deadly virus. It is spread through direct contact with an infected person’s blood, sweat, feces, vomit, or other bodily fluids.

Major symptoms of Ebola:

• Sudden high fever and feeling of extreme weakness.

• Severe pain in muscles, head and throat.

• Persistent vomiting and diarrhea.

• Internal and external bleeding (bleeding from the nose, gums or eyes) in severe cases.

Caution: If a person with symptoms has recently returned from traveling abroad, they should immediately contact a government health center and isolate themselves from others. The Health Department has appealed to the people not to panic, but to exercise caution and believe only the official information.