Why is India launching Air Suvidha 2.0 amid ongoing Ebola outbreak?

The initiative follows the World Health Organization’s (WHO) declaration of the Ebola/Bundibugyo virus disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on May 17, 2026, under the International Health Regulations (IHR) 2005.

According to an official statement, the current outbreak has been identified as Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD). Countries bordering the DRC and Uganda, including South Sudan, have been assessed by the WHO as high-risk for transmission.

Developed in collaboration with the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the portal enables international arriving passengers to submit a mandatory online health self-declaration prior to immigration clearance. The form requires details including a 21-day travel history, exposure history, and any symptoms, if any.

The system facilitates real-time data sharing with Airport Health Officers, the Bureau of Immigration, the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), and state surveillance authorities, enabling swift identification and referral of at-risk travellers. Authorities said the platform is designed to ensure a seamless, contactless arrival experience, with no physical forms required on landing.

The Air Suvidha Self-Declaration Form (SDF) can be filled out up to 24 hours before arrival in India and is recommended to be completed during web check-in for faster processing at airports. Travellers are required to present the downloaded form at the international travel health desk or immigration counter upon arrival.

All international passengers have been advised to complete the self-declaration accurately and in advance in the interest of public health and passenger safety.

The portal can be accessed at https://airsuvidha.civilaviation.gov.in/

Ebola Situation in Africa

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to spread faster than aid efforts can keep pace, despite significant gains in treatment capacity and growing community engagement, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned.

At a media briefing in Geneva, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that more than a month into the outbreak, frontline responders have rapidly expanded care and testing capacity, although challenges on the ground remain significant.

“It’s encouraging to see that since the outbreak was first reported five weeks ago, the response has scaled up significantly,” he said.

In just over a month, treatment capacity has increased from fewer than 10 beds to more than 500 across 19 health centres, while laboratory testing capacity has risen from 30 daily tests in Kinshasa to more than 2,000 tests per day across nine laboratories in three provinces.

Early diagnosis

Dr. Tedros said communities are increasingly seeking information and assistance to stay safe.

“More communities are becoming aware of the risks of Ebola and asking for the tools and support to protect themselves,” he said.

More than 100 people have recovered so far, raising hopes that early diagnosis and supportive care can save lives.

However, he cautioned that the scale of need remains immense. “There are now 1,094 confirmed cases, with 277 deaths,” he said. “The outbreak is continuing to move fast.”

Neighbouring Uganda has also reported 20 confirmed cases, including two deaths.

New treatments

The WHO and partners are preparing to launch a clinical trial in the DRC next week to assess whether two antiviral treatments, MBP134 and remdesivir, can reduce mortality from Bundibugyo virus disease.

“We could save many more lives with therapeutics,” Dr. Tedros said.

Communities are being actively consulted and informed about the trial process, and plans are underway to ensure affected populations can access treatment if it proves effective.