India's DGCA issues Ebola preparedness protocols for flights from Uganda, DRC

MUMBAI: India’s aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued detailed Ebola preparedness protocols for airlines operating flights linked to Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, mandating health screening measures, onboard isolation procedures and compulsory self-declaration forms for passengers arriving in India. The order, issued following a World Health Organization alert on the Ebola outbreak, directs airlines to identify symptomatic passengers onboard, coordinate with airport health authorities and carry out aircraft disinfection after landing. In an office order dated May 22, the DGCA said airlines must mandatorily collect Self-Declaration Forms (SDFs) from all passengers originating from or transiting through affected countries before de-boarding in India. Under the SOP, airlines have been directed to make specific in-flight announcements asking passengers with symptoms such as fever, weakness, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhoea, rash or bleeding to immediately report to cabin crew and airport medical authorities upon arrival. The DGCA has also laid down procedures for handling suspected Ebola cases onboard aircraft. Airlines have been instructed to designate a single cabin crew member to attend to a symptomatic passenger, relocate the passenger to the rear of the aircraft. “The suspected passenger should, where feasible, be relocated to a seat near the rear of the aircraft and three rows surrounding the passenger should be kept vacant," the order said. “Airlines shall ensure adequate availability of personal protective equipment (PPE), masks, gloves, hand sanitizers and bio-hazard disposal bags onboard all concerned flights," it said adding that airlines should carry out complete aircraft disinfection after landing. In case of suspected infections onboard, airlines have been directed to coordinate with airport health authorities and air traffic control to ensure aircraft are parked at designated isolated bays. Asymptomatic passengers are to de-board first, while suspected cases and designated caregivers must be handed over separately to health teams. The SOP also mandates targeted crew training and adequate onboard stocks of masks, gloves, PPE kits, sanitizers and bio-hazard disposal bags. The DGCA attached lists of airlines operating passenger services connected with Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. These include Air India, IndiGo, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Etihad Airways, Kenya Airways and several other foreign carriers. The self-declaration form requires passengers to disclose travel history over the previous 21 days, exposure to Ebola patients, and any current symptoms. Passengers are also required to provide contact details and addresses for monitoring purposes after arrival in India.