Health and Me

Rachel V Thomas

<strong>The story has been updated.</strong>

The businessman from Congo has tested negative for Ebola, and there are currently no cases of the highly infectious disease in the country, Gujarat Health Minister Praful Pansheriya said today.

Taking to social media platform X, Pansheriya urged people to not "harbor any kind of fear or panic and to stay away from rumors".  

He also added that the government is "fully alert, prepared, and committed to protecting public health". 

Speaking to news agency ANI, the Minister said that the "health of the individuals who had accompanied him are doing fine".

Earlier, nearly 16 people in Gujarat and Maharashtra were quarantined after travelling from affected countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, with some showing suspected symptoms.

This comes after the <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/ebola-scare-in-bengaluru-uganda-returned-woman-tests-negative-no-confirmed-case-in-india-article-154406648" data-type="tilCustomLink">Ebola alert in Bengaluru</a> over a woman who returned from Uganda and later tested negative.

<h2><span rel="noindex">Ebola Alert In Gujarat</span></h2>

A businessman from Congo and three individuals who came into contact with him have been admitted to isolation wards at separate hospitals in Gujarat's Ahmedabad. All four samples have been sent for Ebola virus testing, said Gujarat Health Minister Praful Pansheriya.

The 37-year-old businessman arrived from Congo earlier this month in Mumbai and stayed there for five days before travelling to Silvassa and Daman over the next few days, eventually reaching Vadodara on May 22. After developing Ebola-like symptoms, including high fever and cold, he was hospitalized on May 26 in Vadodara.

After doctors in Vadodara learned about his travel history, he was referred to a government hospital in Ahmedabad, where he has been kept in an isolation ward.

“RT-PCR Unlikely To Miss Infection”: Experts on Ebola Test Accuracy

The man has been kept under observation, and tests are being conducted, with reports still awaited. The admitted patient is currently stable and safe, and his temperature is under control, Pansheriya said, adding that the people associated with the patient are not showing any symptoms.

"Two other individuals who had accompanied him have also been admitted to isolated wards at SVP Hospital in Ahmedabad as a precautionary measure. Another person who came in contact with these individuals has also been isolated," the minister added.

“Till now, there is no Ebola case anywhere in Gujarat or India, so nobody needs to fear,” the minister said.

In addition, media reports cited a total of 11 people who arrived in Ahmedabad from Ebola-affected African countries being placed under home isolation at their residences.

According to the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation Health Department, all these 11 passengers live in the western areas of Ahmedabad. None of them have shown any symptoms of Ebola or have been in contact with Ebola virus-infected patients in African countries.

However, as a precautionary measure, the authorities have made home isolation mandatory for anyone arriving from affected African countries.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/ebola-inside-indias-rt-pcr-tests-for-the-bundibugyo-strain-explained-article-154411961" data-type="tilCustomLink">Ebola: Inside India’s RT-PCR Tests For The Bundibugyo Strain| Explained</a>

<h2><span rel="noindex">Ebola Alert In Maharashtra</span></h2>

In Maharashtra's Nagpur, health authorities issued a high alert at the airport after placing a 47-year-old man who returned from Uganda under 21-day home isolation.

The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) health department is closely monitoring the man's health round the clock. Officials said he has not shown any symptoms of Ebola so far.

The individual stated that he did not come into contact with any Ebola patient during his stay in Uganda. However, as per health protocols, a medical team will regularly check his condition during the isolation period.

If any symptoms develop, arrangements have been made to immediately shift him to a hospital.

<strong>Read More:</strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/ebola-scare-in-italy-two-suspected-cases-linked-to-uganda-travel-article-154399100" data-type="tilCustomLink">Ebola Scare In Italy: Two suspected Cases Linked To Uganda Travel</a>

<h2>Experts Question Continued Travel From Affected Countries</h2>

Ebola has been declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) globally by the WHO. To mitigate the risk, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Ministry of Civil Aviation have imposed strict rules for all airlines and airports in India.

The government has also issued guidelines for passengers arriving from Ebola-affected countries. As part of the precautionary measures, travelers entering the country from such nations are required to undergo a 21-day quarantine period.

Epidemiologist Dr. Amitav Banerjee, professor at DY Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune, told <strong><em>HealthandMe</em></strong> that the National Institute of Virology (NiV) in Pune is equipped to test for the Bundibugyo strain.

"The RT-PCR done by NIV is very sensitive and not likely to miss Ebola infections. A proper history of movement and contacts with sick persons during a visit to Congo and Uganda will provide more important information," he said.

The expert added that these people should also be tested for malaria, as it is endemic in Uganda and more easily transmitted than Ebola. After a couple of weeks, they can be tested for IgM antibodies against Ebola.

However, Dr. Ishwar Gilada, a Mumbai-based infectious disease expert, raised questions about why India is still allowing travelers from Ebola-affected countries.

"Our policy should be so strict that we do not allow anybody coming from those kinds of countries where there is already an outbreak of Ebola, because Ebola has neither a treatment nor a cure nor a preventive vaccine," Dr. Gilada told HealthandMe.

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The story has been updated.The businessman from Congo has tested negative for Ebola, and there are currently no cases of the highly infectious disease in the country, Gujarat Health Minister Praful Pansheriya said today.Taking to social media platform X, Pansheriya urged people to not "harbor any kind of fear or panic and to stay away from rumors".  He also added that the government is "fully alert, prepared, and committed to protecting public health".   કોંગોથી આવેલા ચેપજન્ય રોગ ઈબોલા વાયરસના શંકાસ્પદ દર્દીનો રિપોર્ટ નેગેટિવ આવ્યો છે.નાગરિકોને વિનંતી છે કે કોઈપણ પ્રકારનો ભય કે ગભરાટ રાખવાની જરૂર નથી તેમજ અફવાઓથી દૂર રહી આરોગ્ય વિભાગ દ્વારા આપવામાં આવતી સત્તાવાર માહિતી પર જ વિશ્વાસ રાખે.&mdash; Praful Pansheriya (@prafulpbjp) May 28, 2026 ]]>Speaking to news agency ANI, the Minister said that the "health of the individuals who had accompanied him are doing fine". Earlier, nearly 16 people in Gujarat and Maharashtra were quarantined after travelling from affected countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, with some showing suspected symptoms.This comes after the Ebola alert in Bengaluru over a woman who returned from Uganda and later tested negative.Ebola Alert In GujaratA businessman from Congo and three individuals who came into contact with him have been admitted to isolation wards at separate hospitals in Gujarat's Ahmedabad. All four samples have been sent for Ebola virus testing, said Gujarat Health Minister Praful Pansheriya.The 37-year-old businessman arrived from Congo earlier this month in Mumbai and stayed there for five days before travelling to Silvassa and Daman over the next few days, eventually reaching Vadodara on May 22. After developing Ebola-like symptoms, including high fever and cold, he was hospitalized on May 26 in Vadodara.After doctors in Vadodara learned about his travel history, he was referred to a government hospital in Ahmedabad, where he has been kept in an isolation ward.         The man has been kept under observation, and tests are being conducted, with reports still awaited. The admitted patient is currently stable and safe, and his temperature is under control, Pansheriya said, adding that the people associated with the patient are not showing any symptoms."Two other individuals who had accompanied him have also been admitted to isolated wards at SVP Hospital in Ahmedabad as a precautionary measure. Another person who came in contact with these individuals has also been isolated," the minister added.“Till now, there is no Ebola case anywhere in Gujarat or India, so nobody needs to fear,” the minister said.In addition, media reports cited a total of 11 people who arrived in Ahmedabad from Ebola-affected African countries being placed under home isolation at their residences.According to the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation Health Department, all these 11 passengers live in the western areas of Ahmedabad. None of them have shown any symptoms of Ebola or have been in contact with Ebola virus-infected patients in African countries.However, as a precautionary measure, the authorities have made home isolation mandatory for anyone arriving from affected African countries.Also read: Ebola: Inside India’s RT-PCR Tests For The Bundibugyo Strain| ExplainedEbola Alert In MaharashtraIn Maharashtra's Nagpur, health authorities issued a high alert at the airport after placing a 47-year-old man who returned from Uganda under 21-day home isolation.The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) health department is closely monitoring the man's health round the clock. Officials said he has not shown any symptoms of Ebola so far.The individual stated that he did not come into contact with any Ebola patient during his stay in Uganda. However, as per health protocols, a medical team will regularly check his condition during the isolation period.If any symptoms develop, arrangements have been made to immediately shift him to a hospital.Read More:Ebola Scare In Italy: Two suspected Cases Linked To Uganda TravelExperts Question Continued Travel From Affected CountriesEbola has been declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) globally by the WHO. To mitigate the risk, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Ministry of Civil Aviation have imposed strict rules for all airlines and airports in India.The government has also issued guidelines for passengers arriving from Ebola-affected countries. As part of the precautionary measures, travelers entering the country from such nations are required to undergo a 21-day quarantine period.Epidemiologist Dr. Amitav Banerjee, professor at DY Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune, told HealthandMe that the National Institute of Virology (NiV) in Pune is equipped to test for the Bundibugyo strain. "The RT-PCR done by NIV is very sensitive and not likely to miss Ebola infections. A proper history of movement and contacts with sick persons during a visit to Congo and Uganda will provide more important information," he said. The expert added that these people should also be tested for malaria, as it is endemic in Uganda and more easily transmitted than Ebola. After a couple of weeks, they can be tested for IgM antibodies against Ebola.However, Dr. Ishwar Gilada, a Mumbai-based infectious disease expert, raised questions about why India is still allowing travelers from Ebola-affected countries."Our policy should be so strict that we do not allow anybody coming from those kinds of countries where there is already an outbreak of Ebola, because Ebola has neither a treatment nor a cure nor a preventive vaccine," Dr. Gilada told HealthandMe.