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DR Congo man admitted to Ahmedabad hospital, to be tested for Ebola
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DR Congo has reported nearly 1,000 suspected Ebola cases and more than 220 suspected deaths, the UN said in a report on Wednesday, citing figures from health agencies and partners. A 36-year-old man from the Democratic Republic of Congo who came to India earlier this month was on Tuesday night admitted to the isolation ward for Ebola at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, the state health minister said. As the symptoms he showed hinted at viral hemorrhagic fever, his blood samples were sent to the National Institute of Virology (ICMR-NIV) in Pune for Ebola testing.On his arrival, Amuri Lokula first landed at the Mumbai International Airport on May 18. He stayed in the city for five days, before leaving for the Union Territories of Silvassa (DNH) and Daman, where he stayed for four days till May 25. On May 25, he came to Vadodara in Gujarat and stayed at the Express Hotel. When hospitalised on Tuesday, Lokula had been suffering from high-grade fever with chills and rigours, severe body ache and headache for three days prior. Health minister Praful Pansheriya said: “Some days ago, Amuri Lokula, Petric Kaja, and Valentin Zodl came to India from DR Congo for business. Lokula had a fever and was initially admitted to Banker Hospital in Vadodara for treatment. The health department found out that he had come from DR Congo and, so for safety measures, he was transferred to Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, and his blood sample was sent for testing. The result has not yet come back, and there are no cases of Ebola in Gujarat.” Meanwhile, Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) has taken up contact tracing and identified three others who had come into contact with Lokula. They were Dr Saman Musanna, Petric Kaja, and Valentin Zodl. All three were quarantined at the SVP Hospital in Ahmedabad by Wednesday evening, confirmed additional superintendent Dr Bhavesh Dave. There are three levels of standard operating procedures (SOPs) established to deal with Ebola, which has been declared a public health emergency of international Concern (PHEIC) by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Apart from screening and self-declaration by passengers arriving from affected countries, including DR Congo, South Sudan and Uganda, the first level is home isolation for contacts of patients; the second is quarantine at SVP Hospital in Ahmedabad and the third level, for symptomatic patients, is admittance and treatment at the two designated apex hospitals in Gujarat – Asarwa Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad and New Civil Hospital in Surat.Story continues below this ad Dr Bhavin Solanki, the medical officer of health (MoH) at Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), said, “Nine Indian nationals and one foreign national who travelled to affected countries are currently in home isolation in Ahmedabad but none of them have any symptoms.” DR Congo has reported nearly 1,000 suspected Ebola cases and more than 220 suspected deaths, the UN said in a report on Wednesday, citing figures from health agencies and partners.
NewsWorldCanada NewsPassenger from Congo boards flight ‘in error’, prompting diversion to Canada after Ebola outbreak Air France flight en route to Detroit, Michigan, landed in Montreal after virus-related travel restrictions 3 min readMay 22, 2026 04:58 AM IST First published on: May 22, 2026 at 04:58 AM IST An Air France plane was redirected to Canada. (File Photo) An Air France flight travelling from Paris to Detroit was diverted to Canada after a passenger who had recently been in an Ebola-affected region boarded the aircraft despite US entry restrictions, according to The Guardian. US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said the traveller should not have been allowed on board under new measures introduced to limit the spread of the virus. “Due to entry restrictions put in place to reduce the risk of the Ebola virus, the passenger should not have boarded the plane,” a CBP spokesperson said. The flight, already en route to Detroit, was denied permission to land and redirected to Montreal. Officials said the decision was taken in coordination with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to “protect public health and reduce the risk of Ebola disease introduction into the United States”. Health authorities in Canada later assessed the passenger and confirmed they were not showing symptoms. The Public Health Agency of Canada said a quarantine officer examined the traveller and found them to be asymptomatic. The passenger later returned to Paris, while the rest of those on board continued to Detroit. US tightens Ebloa travel rules The diversion comes as the US tightens temporary travel rules linked to an Ebola outbreak in parts of central and east Africa. Current measures restrict entry for non-US citizens who have been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda or South Sudan in the past 21 days. Additional screening and routing requirements have also been introduced.Story continues below this ad According to the World Health Organization, there have been nearly 600 suspected Ebola cases and around 139 suspected deaths so far. Officials say the actual scale may be higher, particularly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The WHO director-general said 51 cases have been confirmed in the DRC, adding that the outbreak is likely larger than reported. Uganda has also confirmed cases. An American citizen working in the DRC has tested positive and was transferred to Germany for treatment. Authorities say the risk to the US remains low but stress that precautionary measures are necessary to limit the spread of the virus. The Express Global Desk at indianexpress.com which delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis. A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely tracks Canada’s immigration, visa, and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residence programmes, and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students. All reporting from the Global Desk adheres to The Indian Express’ editorial standards, relying on official data, government notifications, court documents, and on-record sources. The desk prioritises clarity, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring readers can navigate complex global systems with confidence. Core Team The Express Global Desk is led by a team of experienced journalists and editors with deep expertise in international affairs and migration policy: Aniruddha Dhar – Senior Assistant Editor with extensive experience in global affairs, international politics, and editorial leadership. Nisc
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