Members in Rajya Sabha urge government to take steps to save India from Ebola

NEW DELHI: With over 3,000 deaths reported across the globe due to a new Ebola virus, members in the Rajya Sabha today urged the government to take necessary steps to save the country from the spread of this epidemic.

Raising the issue during Zero Hour, Pramod Tiwari (Cong) said Health Minister Harshvardhan had given a statement saying there is no case of Ebola reported from anywhere in the country but there were many suspected cases reported in the media from Delhi and Mumbai.

"It is a serious disease where mortality rate is as high as 90 per cent. There is no vaccine or treatment for it," Tiwari said adding, the government should not have given an "irresponsible" statement.

Stressing that WHO has declared it category IV disease, he demanded immediate and proper arrangements to prevent its spread in India as it can be spread from animals as well as humans.

"Three thousand deaths have been reported from the virus globally and WHO has directed for pilots and crew to be alert if they are travelling from affected regions," he said adding that US and other nations have made adequate prevention measures.

Charging the government with not making any such arrangement, he demanded immediate measures to save the country from the epidemic and said its symptoms were visible in two to 22 days.

A number of members associated with the demand. Deputy Chairman P J Kurien said "It is a very serious matter and I hope the government has taken note of it and will do what is necessary."