India issues advisory on Ebola outbreak, lists countries to avoid for travel

NEW DELHI, May 24: The Union ministry of health and family welfare on Sunday advised Indian citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Ebola Disease-affected countries — the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and South Sudan — after the World Health Organization declared the Ebola outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).

“In light of the reported outbreaks of Ebola Disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda, the World Health Organization (WHO), under the International Health Regulations (IHR), 2005, on May 17, 2026, determined the situation to be a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC),” the health ministry said in a statement on Sunday.

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has also officially declared the ongoing outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola Virus Disease affecting the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda as a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS).

In addition, the WHO International Health Regulation Emergency Committee on May 22 issued temporary recommendations to strengthen disease surveillance at Points of Entry to “detect, assess, report and manage travellers with unexplained febrile illness arriving from areas with documented Bundibugyo virus detection” while also “discouraging travel to areas with documented Bundibugyo virus detection”.

As of May 21, 746 suspected cases and 176 deaths among suspected cases were reported in DRC. So far, 85 confirmed cases, including two in Uganda, and ten deaths, including one in Uganda, among confirmed cases have been reported across both countries, according to WHO.

Countries bordering the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, including South Sudan, are assessed to be at high risk of disease transmission.

Ebola Disease is a viral haemorrhagic fever caused by infection with the Bundibugyo virus strain of the Ebola virus. It is a serious disease with a high mortality rate. At present, no vaccines or specific treatments have been approved to prevent or treat Ebola Disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus strain.

India has not reported any case of Ebola Disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus strain, the health ministry reiterated.

“In view of the evolving situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and other affected countries, and in line with WHO’s recommendations, Government of India advises all Indian citizens to avoid non-essential travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and South Sudan until further notice,” read the statement.

“Indian citizens currently residing in or travelling to these countries are advised to strictly follow public health guidance issued by local authorities and maintain heightened precautions,” it added.

Delhi airport steps up surveillance amid Ebola outbreak fears

NEW DELHI, May 22: Surveillance and precautionary measures against the Ebola virus were stepped up at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport on Friday, just hours after similar preventive steps were introduced at Cochin International Airport in Kerala’s Kochi.

Notably, Ebola is a deadly viral disease that spreads through direct contact with infected bodily fluids. It can lead to severe bleeding and multiple organ failure.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said the outbreak in central Africa is “spreading rapidly”, making efforts to control a rare strain of the virus more difficult, as there is no approved treatment or vaccine available.

IGI Airport in the national capital has implemented precautionary arrangements amid growing concern worldwide over Ebola cases reported in some African regions.

The Airport Public Health Officer (APHO) chaired a meeting involving all stakeholders, including the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Bureau of Immigration (BoI), Customs officials, airlines, and Ground Handling Agencies (GHAs), to brief them on directions issued by the ministry and make them aware of the situation.

Authorities have also introduced several operational steps to improve screening and response measures.

Tensa barriers have been installed to organise passenger movement from thermal screening areas at international arrival sections.

Advisories have also been circulated through social media following instructions from the ministry of health and family welfare. Directions issued by the directorate general of civil aviation (DGCA) have also been passed on to airlines to ensure they are followed properly.

The move comes after monitoring measures were strengthened at the airport in Kochi as well. A spokesperson for Cochin International Airport Limited told a news agency that a 24-hour surveillance system had now been introduced as part of efforts to identify possible symptoms at an early stage and improve coordinated public health response efforts.

Passengers arriving from countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan would be placed under special health monitoring following global alerts linked to Ebola outbreaks, authorities said.

The virus passes from wild animals such as fruit bats, porcupines, and non-human primates to humans.

It then spreads through direct contact with blood, secretions, organs, or other bodily fluids of infected individuals. Contaminated items, including bedding and clothing, can also transmit the infection.

There are currently no approved vaccines or treatments for the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola linked to the ongoing outbreak.

Until now, 82 cases have been confirmed in Congo, including seven confirmed deaths, 177 suspected deaths, and nearly 750 suspected cases.

The situation in Uganda remains stable, with two confirmed cases involving people who had travelled from the DRC, one of them fatal, Who chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.

7-Minute Cancer Shot Costing Rs 3.7 Lakh Per Dose Launched In India

NEW DELHI, May 18: India has taken a major step forward in cancer treatment with the launch of a new seven-minute cancer injection for lung cancer patients. The drug, called Tecentriq, has been introduced by Roche Pharma India and is designed to make immunotherapy faster and more convenient.

Unlike traditional intravenous (IV) treatment that can take several hours in a hospital, this new injection is given under the skin and takes only around seven minutes. The treatment is meant for patients suffering from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), which is the most common form of lung cancer in India.

Doctors believe that the new method could improve patient comfort and reduce the burden on hospitals. However, the treatment has also raised concerns because of its very high price. The drug is priced at around Rs 3.7 lakh for one dose, with many patients needing about six doses during treatment.

The launch of this injection highlights the growing importance of immunotherapy in cancer care. Unlike chemotherapy, which directly attacks cancer cells and can damage healthy cells too, immunotherapy helps the body's own immune system fight cancer. Many patients prefer immunotherapy because it often causes fewer severe side effects than chemotherapy.

The new injection uses a drug called atezolizumab, which works by blocking a protein called PD-L1. Cancer cells use this protein to hide from the immune system. Once the protein is blocked, the body's immune cells can identify and attack cancer cells more effectively.

Doctors say this treatment could especially help patients who have high levels of PD-L1 in their tumours. Still, the high cost of treatment remains a major challenge for Indian families already struggling with expensive cancer care.

What Makes The New Cancer Shot Different?

The biggest advantage of the new cancer shot is speed and convenience. Earlier, patients receiving immunotherapy through IV infusion had to spend several hours in hospitals or cancer clinics. With the new subcutaneous injection, the medicine is given directly under the skin, usually in the thigh, and the process takes only seven minutes. This can reduce waiting time, hospital crowding, and stress for patients.

Doctors say the shorter treatment time may also improve patient compliance. Many cancer patients tend to get exhausted due to repeated hospital visits and long treatment sessions. A faster process can make it easier, especially for elderly patients or those living far from treatment centers.

Who Can Receive This Treatment?

The injection is meant for patients with non-small cell lung cancer. This form of cancer accounts for the majority of lung cancer cases in India. However, not every patient qualifies for the treatment. Doctors first check whether the patient's cancer cells have high levels of the PD-L1 protein. Patients with higher PD-L1 levels are more likely to benefit from this immunotherapy drug.

Experts say that nearly half of NSCLC patients may qualify for the treatment. The therapy has shown positive results in improving survival rates and slowing the spread of cancer in eligible patients. It may be used alone or along with other treatments depending on the stage of cancer and the patient's overall condition.

Why Is the Cost So High?

One of the biggest concerns surrounding the launch is the cost. Each dose costs around Rs 3.7 lakh, and many patients need around six doses. This means the overall treatment expense can run into several lakhs of rupees, making it unaffordable for many middle-class and lower-income families.

Cancer specialists say immunotherapy drugs are generally expensive because of the advanced research and technology involved in developing them. Reports have shown that modern immunotherapy treatments in India often cost between Rs 1.5 lakh and Rs 4 lakh per cycle.

To reduce the financial burden, Roche has introduced a patient assistance programme called "Blue Tree." The drug has also been included under the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), which may help some patients receive reimbursement support. Even so, experts believe more government intervention and affordable treatment options are needed to make advanced cancer care accessible to larger sections of society.

Despite concerns over affordability, doctors see the seven-minute cancer shot as a significant medical breakthrough in India. Faster treatment, fewer hospital hours, and improved patient comfort can greatly improve the quality of life for people battling cancer.