Although WHO (World Health Organisation) has declared that Ebola has been contained in most of the African countries, the fear of this dreaded disease still persists in India. The Government of India has decided to launch a nationwide awareness programme to caution the masses, and is also working on relevant measures to tackle a possible Ebola epidemic in the country. The first palpable signs of concern were witnessed as early as May of this year, when the Government issued a health advisory to all regional chiefs and key personnel at the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), urging them to take necessary precautions to avert any crisis. The extremely dangerous and potentially fatal disease was detected in several regions within Africa in February. It evoked a chilling reminder of the HIV outbreak during the early 1980s, which claimed hundreds of thousands of lives around the globe. In the interim there has been Swine Flu, Bird Flu, and the more recent Japanese Encephalitis. However, these have been largely contained, with only a few stray cases returning in several countries. In recent times, no disease has spread so much panic as Ebola - more because of its late detection, and because the symptoms are similar to relatively less harmful diseases. The silver lining, perhaps, is the news that the disease will not spread through airborne infection, and that there is little fear of an epidemic. The major concern in India is the lack of proper protective equipment, and inadequate lab testing facilities and professional training, which will hamper efforts to detect and handle the disease efficiently and appropriately. There is just one analytical testing lab in the country, located in Pune. where virus detection is undertaken.
The Government has initiated extensive training for all the primary healthcare workers. It has also imported some 50,000 special training kits, which would be sent to the different States, to train the concerned personnel, who in turn will organise critical awareness programmes. At airports, immigration officers are being equipped with the knowledge to handle travellers who might be carrying the disease back to India from affected African regions. However, many feel that the measures adopted are not adequate. The NCDC guidelines on the disease have yet to create any significant impact among the health workers. The advisory too is little cause for comfort, as nurses and other health workers are yet to be given respirators; they also do not have the knowledge to operate in a hospital environment while using optical goggles. There is also much confusion on how soon the equipment procured by the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare will reach the intended locations. Further, not many trainers with a definite knowledge of the disease and its prevention or control, are available. Commenting on these developments, Dr. Vandita, Director of Sheetla Hospital in Gurgaon says, “Till now Ebola has not been detected in Gurgaon, but this City gets travellers from across the world. While scientists and governments are doing their best to try and stop this virus from spreading, we have been instructed to examine those who are matching the relevant criteria that has been provided by the government. The virus has still not been detected in India. However, we must continue to take precautions. The weaker sections of the society need to be educated on this through door-to-door campaigns.” As for the symptoms, if a person is suffering from cold, cough and fever, and bleeding from different parts of the body, he/she should be immediately examined and administered the test for Ebola. Simultaneously, samples from the suspected patients should be rushed to Pune, for further analysis and clarification.
Dr. Dubey, Superintendent of Medanta Hospital, opines, “There are lakhs of diseases. It is not possible to ensure a foolproof success of any/all awareness programme(s). The essence must be to enlighten the masses about this disease. Above all, preventive measures are very important.”
The government’s immediate concern seems to be to ensure that not even a single patient of ‘Ebola’ enters the country and mingles with the population undetected. Gurgaon, being located close to the Indira Gandhi International Airport, is being viewed as a more ‘sensitive’ location. An official, who wishes to remain anonymous, quips, “There is very little knowledge among the decision making authorities on the road ahead. One school of thought is that we should enter into a dialogue with the authorities in the affected countries, and agree that persons who are carrying the dreaded disease are detected, tested and quarantined there itself. Airports must stay fully equipped to deal with emergencies. Nipping things in the bud seems the best ‘treatment’.” The disease generally remains in an ‘insipid’ state during the first 21 days of contraction. Patients need to be detected during this time and quickly isolated and quarantined, before they get a chance to come in bodily contact with others. Both the affected persons as well as the battery of health workers engaged in the task of disease detection and treatment have to co-operate. There is currently no vaccine for Ebola, though efforts are ongoing at breakneck speed. Rajesh Sinha, who resides near Gurgaon, says, “There are anyway so many diseases that we have to fight; now one more, that too a deadly one, has been added. From our side, let us at least be 'careful' and maintain good hygiene.”
Read More...