India steps up surveillance amid global Ebola outbreak

New Delhi: India has enhanced nationwide disease surveillance and hospital preparedness following the World Health Organization’s (WHO) declaration of Ebola as a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC), an official familiar with the development said.

In a high-level review meeting chaired by Union health secretary Punya Salila Srivastava, the ministry of health and family welfare confirmed that no case of Ebola virus disease (EVD) has been detected within the country so far.

The government’s proactive response serves as a precaution to ensure readiness across all states and Union territories.

According to official situational reports released by the WHO, the global emergency is centred in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda, driven by the rare Bundibugyo virus strain.

As of May 2026, the WHO has documented over 500 suspected cases and 130 deaths in DRC, with at least 30 cases already laboratory confirmed.

The outbreak has also raised cross-border concerns, with neighbouring Uganda confirming laboratory-verified travel-related cases in its capital, Kampala. Public health officials are on high alert due to unmapped transmission chains, a high sample positivity rate, and the absence of approved vaccines or specific therapeutics for the Bundibugyo strain.

The Union health secretary emphasized the importance of coordinated surveillance, timely reporting, and the preparedness of designated health facilities. All concerned ministries and departments have also been sensitized and are undertaking appropriate preventive and surveillance measures in close coordination with the health ministry.

The ministry reiterated that India has prior experience in handling such situations effectively, including during the 2014 Ebola outbreak in Africa, when similar precautionary measures were implemented successfully. “The Government of India remains fully vigilant and prepared to respond swiftly to any emerging situation. There is no cause for panic, and citizens are advised to continue following official advisories and updates issued by health authorities,” the official said.

Rajeev Jayadevan, a public health expert, said, “Ebola outbreak in Africa is likely from a new spillover event rather than from previously circulating virus, according to the latest virus genome sequencing report. This Ebola outbreak (caused by Bundibugyo virus) is different from the previously described Zaire virus and is therefore harder to detect (test) and prevent (vaccine)."

"The virus jumps to humans from infected animals such as bats, monkeys and apes, usually through contact with blood, body fluids, excrement or raw meat during hunting and butchering.”

Mint’s queries emailed to the health ministry spokesperson remained unanswered.