India Launches Contactless Health Portal for Ebola Screening at Airports
The Ministry of Civil Aviation and Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) have launched Air Suvidha 2.0, an upgraded contactless health self-declaration portal, to strengthen public health surveillance at points of entry in response to the ongoing Ebola disease outbreak. The announcement was made on 25 June 2026.
The portal's launch follows the World Health Organisation's 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 17 May under the International Health Regulations (IHR) 2005. The current outbreak has been identified as Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD), with countries bordering DRC and Uganda, including South Sudan, assessed as high-risk for transmission.
Developed in collaboration with the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Air Suvidha 2.0 requires all international arriving passengers to submit a mandatory online health self-declaration before immigration clearance. The form captures details such as travel history over the past 21 days, exposure history, and any related symptoms.
According to a government release, the portal enables real-time data sharing with airport health officers, the Bureau of Immigration, and State Surveillance Officers. This facilitates swift identification and referral of at-risk travellers while ensuring a seamless, contactless arrival experience with no physical forms to fill upon landing.
Passengers can complete the Air Suvidha Self Declaration Form (SDF) up to 24 hours before arrival in India. The government recommends filling the form during web check-in before boarding, to allow for swift clearance on arrival. Travellers are required to show the downloaded SDF at the International Travel Health Desk or immigration counter.
“All international travellers are requested to complete their self-declaration accurately and in advance, in the interest of passenger safety and public health,” the release noted.
