India Launches AIR SUVIDHA 2.0

In response to the Ebola/Bundibugyo virus disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the World Health Organization, India has launched AIR SUVIDHA 2.0. This upgraded, contactless Passenger Health Self-Declaration Portal, developed by the India — Ministry of Education (India) and Indira Gandhi International Airport in collaboration with the India — Directorate General of Health Services and Bangladesh — Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, aims to strengthen public health surveillance at international points of entry. The portal requires international arriving passengers to submit an online health self-declaration, including 21-day travel history and symptoms, prior to immigration clearance. This system facilitates real-time data sharing with various agencies like the Airport Health Officer, Philippines — Bureau of Immigration, India — Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme, and State Surveillance Officers, enabling swift identification and referral of at-risk travelers while ensuring a seamless arrival experience. Countries bordering the outbreak regions, such as South Sudan, are considered high-risk for transmission.