Jaipur: A 19-year-old woman from Uganda has been admitted to a government hospital in Jaipur after exhibiting symptoms resembling Ebola virus infection, prompting health authorities to initiate precautionary measures. Officials, however, stressed that the disease has not been confirmed.
The woman arrived in Jaipur on Friday as a tourist from Sharjah aboard an Air Arabia flight. During routine health screening at the airport, a medical team from the Rajasthan Health Department identified symptoms that warranted further examination and referred her for specialised medical care.
She was subsequently admitted to the Rajasthan University of Health Sciences (RUHS) Hospital, where she has been placed in isolation in a critical care unit as a precaution.
RUHS Principal Dr Mohnish Grover said a blood sample from the patient has been sent to a specialised laboratory in Pune for testing. A second sample will be collected and dispatched after 48 hours in accordance with established protocols.
“The patient will remain under quarantine until the test results are received. If the test is positive, she will be kept in isolation for 21 days and treated as per medical guidelines,” Dr Grover said.
Hospital Superintendent Dr Anil Gupta clarified that the woman has not been diagnosed with Ebola and that doctors are currently investigating the cause of her symptoms.
“Ebola cannot be confirmed merely on the basis of symptoms. Laboratory testing is essential before any diagnosis can be made,” he said.
According to health officials, the woman has been experiencing abdominal pain and loss of appetite for nearly a month. She is also currently complaining of a headache. No official confirmation has been given linking these symptoms to Ebola.
As a precautionary measure, fellow passengers who travelled on the same flight have been advised to remain in home isolation and monitor their health.
Health authorities said they are closely tracking the situation and implementing all necessary surveillance, quarantine and testing protocols while awaiting the laboratory results.
