Bhubaneswar/Cuttack, Oct. 28: The state government has set up an isolation ward at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack for patients affected by Ebola virus as a precautionary measure though India is yet to report a single case.

“We have set up the ward for Ebola cases if and when they arrive,” said SCB superintendent Pratap Rath.

Health secretary Arti Ahuja said the government was fully prepared to deal with the deadly virus if it strikes. “However, people need not panic,” she said.

Ahuja said the standard protocol guidelines issued by the Union health ministry had been circulated to all hospitals and vulnerable places, including the airport and ports. Field employees of major hospitals have also been trained to handle Ebola-affected patients.

“We will also hold a meeting with private hospitals within a week,” she said.

Surveillance at the Biju Patnaik airport and ports across the state has been beefed up. “Necessary arrangements for surveillance at the airport have been made,” said airport director Sharad Kumar.

Authorities of Paradip Port Trust have also initiated precautionary measures.

A team of health department officials today visited Paradip and held discussions with the port officials. Traffic, security and cargo staff at the port were sensitised on the issue, said Paradip Port Trust medical officer R.K. Mallick.

“So far no blood sample study has been conducted in Paradip as ship crew arriving here till date did not fall under suspected high-risk group. The hospital here, too, is not equipped for Ebola tests, which can be done at the National institute of Virology, Pune, and National Centre for Disease Control, Delhi,” he said.

On the direction of the Union shipping ministry, the port has stepped up vigil as far as foreign vessels are concerned. But the port is considered comparatively less vulnerable as ships from Ebota-hit West African countries hardly ever come here.

Most of the ships calling at the port are from Australia, Japan, south Asian and from far eastern countries that are relatively safer, said port facility and security officer Gouri Prasad Biswal. “The crew members of ships calling at the port are allowed to land only after obtaining necessary health clearance from our medical teams,” said a senior port official. Health officials of the port have been trained to spot symptoms of Ebola early and take precautionary measures if necessary.

“We have directed customs and health officials to adopt preventive measures while handling cargo and crew members. All ships are being asked to declare that they are free of illnesses on board before their berthing at the port,” said the officials.

However, ward at SCB has eight beds but the number may go up, said official sources.

A team of doctors from the hospital’s medicine department has been constituted to handle cases. “We are making necessary arrangements for ICU facility in the ward where two ventilators will also be installed,” said Rath.