Air Suvidha 2.0 portal launched for Ebola screening, Pg14

Key Highlights:

• The Ministry of Civil Aviation and Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) launched Air Suvidha 2.0.
• This upgraded contactless portal aims to strengthen public health surveillance against the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on May 17.
• Passengers are required to submit a mandatory self-declaration covering 21-day travel history, exposure, and symptoms before immigration clearance.

Detailed Insights:

• Air Suvidha 2.0 is an enhanced version of the existing contactless passenger health self-declaration system.
• The portal facilitates early detection and isolation of potential Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) cases among international arrivals in India.
• Passengers can complete the self-declaration form up to 24 hours prior to their arrival, streamlining airport health checks.
• The Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) declaration by WHO signals a serious global health threat requiring a coordinated international response.
• Such measures are critical for preventing the international spread of infectious diseases, especially through air travel.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Air Suvidha 2.0: An upgraded online portal for mandatory passenger health self-declaration at Indian airports to enhance public health surveillance.
• Ebola Virus Disease (EVD): A severe, often fatal illness in humans caused by the Ebola virus, transmitted through direct contact with bodily fluids.
• Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC): A formal declaration by the WHO under the International Health Regulations (2005) for an extraordinary event posing a public health risk to other states.
• Ministry of Civil Aviation: The nodal ministry in the Government of India responsible for formulating national policies and programs for the civil aviation sector.