Air Suvidha 2.0 (Current Events of National And International importance)
Air Suvidha 2.0 (Current Events of National And International importance)
Why In News:
The Government of India launched the upgraded Air Suvidha 2.0 portal for strengthened public health surveillance at Points of Entry (POEs).
This was triggered by the Ebola Disease Outbreak, declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) by the World Health Organization.
Source: PIB Release, 25 June 2026; The Hindu, Page 14, 26 June 2026 - 'Air Suvidha 2.0 portal launched for Ebola screening'
What is Air Suvidha 2.0?
Air Suvidha was originally launched during COVID-19 and has now been upgraded to version 2.0.
Upgraded Contactless Self-Declaration Portal for public health surveillance of incoming international passengers.
Passengers must submit a mandatory 21-day travel and exposure history along with symptoms declaration prior to immigration clearance.
The Self-Declaration Form (SDF) can be completed 24 hours in advance before arrival in India, during web check-in or on arrival.
Enables real-time data sharing for swift identification and referral of at-risk travellers, eliminating physical forms on landing.
Points of Entry (POE) and IHR, 2005
A Point of Entry (POE) is any port, airport, or ground crossing through which international travellers, goods, and conveyances may enter or leave a country.
POEs are critical nodes in international health surveillance under the International Health Regulations (IHR), 2005 - a legally binding global instrument under WHO that obligates member states to develop core capacities for disease detection and response at POEs.
India has designated specific international airports and seaports as POEs under IHR, 2005.
Ebola Virus
Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) is caused by the Ebola virus, a member of the Filoviridae family.
First identified near the Ebola River in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in 1976.
Transmission occurs through direct contact with blood or bodily fluids of infected persons or animals.
Case Fatality Rate (CFR) ranges from 25% to 90% depending on the strain and healthcare response.
Key Facts for Prelims
PHEIC stands for Public Health Emergency of International Concern - the highest alert level under IHR, 2005.
Previous PHEICs: H1N1 Influenza (2009), Polio (2014), Ebola West Africa (2014), Zika (2016), COVID-19 (2020), Mpox (2022, 2024).
IDSP (Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme) is India's primary disease surveillance network under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.