A 54-year-old woman from Pala, who had been under observation at the Kottayam Medical College Hospital (MCH) in Kerala following suspicion of Ebola infection, has been discharged after tests ruled out the disease.
The decision to discharge the patient was taken after her blood samples sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, returned negative results on Friday, official sources said.
The woman, a native of Valavoor, had returned to Kerala last week from South Sudan via Uganda. She was referred to the Kottayam MCH last Wednesday after developing certain symptoms of illness. In line with international health surveillance protocols for travellers arriving from regions with a potential risk of infectious disease outbreaks, she was shifted to a special isolation ward as a precautionary measure.
The patient remained under observation under the supervision of an expert medical board. Although she did not exhibit any significant or unusual symptoms, all prescribed safety protocols were strictly followed until the test results were received. Following confirmation that she had not contracted Ebola, the woman has been allowed to return home.
Health Department officials said the monitoring of international travellers, particularly those arriving from regions vulnerable to infectious disease outbreaks, forms part of routine public health surveillance measures.
They also emphasised that there was no cause for public concern.
Published - June 20, 2026 12:49 pm IST
Source: The Hindu - India News
