Nigerian national tests negative for Ebola

New Delhi, Aug 13: A 30-year-old Nigerian national, who complained of fever after arriving in Delhi, was admitted to a hospital here today and tested negative for Ebola virus.

"A 30-year-old male, Nigerian national, who arrived at Delhi Airport was admitted to Dr RML Hospital today morning with complaints of fever. He has tested negative for Ebola Virus Disease in tests done at National Centre for Disease Control, Delhi," said a statement issued by Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan today.

Mandatory screening of passengers from affected countries is in place, he said. Since August 10, about 3,089 passengers have been screened at the airports in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Chennai, Trivandrum and Kochi.

The Health Minister also reiterated that no confirmed cases of the virus has been reported in India so far. The Ebola emergency helplines at the Union Health Ministry has received more than 450 calls since it was launched on August 9.

The queries from public, related to signs and symptoms of the disease and risk of travel were addressed adequately.

World Health Organisation (WHO) has reported 1,848 cases including 1,013 deaths due to Ebola Virus Disease as on August 9.

PTI