MP: Home-bound Haj pilgrims to be screened for Ebola virus

Haj pilgrims returning after performing rituals in Saudi Arabia would have to go through Ebola screening test at airports in Bhopal and Indore. Names and details of suspected pilgrims would be noted down.

Haj pilgrims returning after performing sacred rituals in Saudi Arabia would have to go through Ebola screening test at airports in Bhopal and Indore.

Names and details of suspected pilgrims would be noted down and a follow-up would be done till they regain their health.

A meeting of health officials and Haj committee officials was held in Bhopal to decide upon the plan. "Specially trained doctors would be placed on duty at the airport and a physical check-up and general screening of the pilgrims would be done at the airport," said secretary of MP State Haj Committee, Dawood Khan.

He said passengers with any symptom of Ebola or even symptoms resembling Ebola like fever or cold would be separated and their details would be noted down. Such passengers would not be separated or quarantined but would be allowed to go to their respective hometowns.

Doctors who will perform the check-up at airport would send the details of the suspected passenger to the district medical officer of the pilgrim’s hometown. The officer would follow-up about the health of the passenger till he or she is perfectly fine.