New Delhi: India has strengthened surveillance and preparedness measures at entry points and the public health system as an “extreme precaution” following the declaration of a Public Health Emergency (PHEIC) by the World Health Organization over the Ebola outbreak in parts of Central Africa.Senior officials of the Union health ministry, including teams from the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC), Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP), ICMR and other concerned divisions, met on Monday to review the emerging situation and initiate precautionary public health measures, officials said.The ministry clarified that no case of Ebola has been reported in India and the current threat to the country is minimal.This outbreak involves the Bundibugyo virus strain and has been reported from the Democratic Republic of Congo and parts of Uganda.Officials said the Center has started reviewing the standard operating procedures for screening, surveillance, quarantine and case management, while laboratory preparedness is also being expanded. National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune has been designated as the nodal testing center and additional laboratories are being added in phases.Coordination with multiple ministries and agencies has also been intensified to monitor international travel from the affected areas.Isolation and quarantine facilities at major airports and ports have been identified and kept on standby in case of any suspected case, officials said.The ministry urged the public and media not to panic or spread unverified information, stressing that India’s public health system is alert and fully prepared to respond to any emerging situation.Officials also pointed out that India has not recorded any cases of Ebola even during previous outbreaks and global alerts linked to the disease, including in 2014 and 2019, and said the government continues to maintain close coordination with international health authorities.