Ebola Scare In Skies: DGCA Tells Airlines To Speak Up, Suit Up And Screen Harder

In wake of Ebola outbreak in parts of Africa, India's aviation regulator has issued a precaution alert to the airlines, asking them to make announcements on the planes and the need to increase health screening measures. Now carriers flying to and from Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo will have to pick up self-declaration forms and monitor for symptoms during flight as well as closely coordinate with the airport health authorities. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has beefed up protocols to ensure early detection of any Ebola case and ensure that travellers remain safe.The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has increased the protocols to ensure early detection of any Ebola case and ensure that travellers remain safe.

It's reminiscent of pandemic-style cabin briefings but this time with a playbook designed around the particular risks of Ebola and its incubation period.  

New In Flight Rules For Passengers  

Airlines have been instructed to broadcast specific announcements in the air about Ebola symptoms, informing passengers to alert cabin crew and then report to the immigration or the airport medical unit on arrival if they have any symptoms such as fever, weakness, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhoea, rash, bleeding. The self-declaration forms are to be completed by all passengers and crew from or from any part of affected countries, indicating the last travel dates, exposure or contact details for 21-day follow up. The goal is to encourage early reporting and establish a health data trail.  

Airlines and suspected cases: how to deal with each other.  

DGCA's SOP is more than just announcements. If a passenger becomes ill during the flight, the airlines are required to place these passengers in the rear of the aircraft and keep the three rows of seating behind them empty where feasible, and designate one member of the airplane's crew to care for them and, ideally, assign a separate washroom. Affected aircraft must be quarantined in designated bays and disinfected thoroughly upon landing, while aircraft suspected of infection and close contacts should be handled by the airport health teams.  

Students will learn how to properly wear and maintain personal protective equipment, masks, and crew training.  

Carriers have also been asked to make available triple-layer masks, gloves, PPE kits, sanitisers, bio-hazard bags and do targeted training for crew on suspected Ebola cases on all relevant flights. Passengers who are suspected will be taken off separately by health teams, while those who are asymptomatic will get off first. The message of the regulator is very loud: Preparedness, early isolation and clear communication are best defence lines at the international gateways of India.  

Ebola Travel Advisory Highlights  

• Onboard announcements regarding symptoms of Ebola and reporting are now mandated.  
• Passengers who are connected with Uganda and Congo must fill in a self-declaration form.  
• Suspected cases to be isolated at rear of aircraft with buffer rows  
• Airlines need to have proper PPE, face masks, sanitisers and bio-hazard bags on board.  
• None of the Ebola cases has been reported in India yet, but the surveillance and preparedness has been increased.  

Sources: DGCA Ebola preparedness SOP and directives, guidance provided by health ministry, and reports of measures taken by airlines in response to outbreak linked travel advisory