Telangana to prosecute passengers giving false addresses at Shamshabad Airport
On Monday, June 8, 2026, the Telangana government announced it will launch criminal prosecutions under the Epidemic Diseases Act against international passengers from Ebola-affected countries who provide false addresses upon arrival at Shamshabad Airport. The decision aims to plug screening loopholes and ensure accurate tracking of incoming travelers during an active Ebola high alert.
The directive was issued during a high-level review meeting on Ebola preparedness chaired by State Health Minister Damodar Raja Narasimha. During the meeting, senior health officials revealed that several passengers arriving from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan could not be traced at the addresses they had provided to authorities.
In response, Minister Narasimha instructed health officials to register criminal cases against anyone providing false information. He made it clear that passengers arriving from these Ebola-affected nations must provide accurate contact details, including their phone numbers and addresses.
To ensure passengers are fully aware of the rules, the Minister advised that travelers must be explicitly informed at Shamshabad Airport that giving incorrect information will lead to legal consequences and the filing of criminal cases.
To address communication barriers, the state government will deploy 24/7 language translators at the airport. The Health Department will take assistance from the English and Foreign Languages University (EFLU) to station personnel capable of speaking French, Arabic, and Swahili. These translators will work across three shifts to make the surveillance and data collection process more efficient.
Furthermore, the Minister emphasized the need for enhanced coordination among the Health Department, Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), airport authorities, and the Police Department to conduct effective contact tracing.
Minister Narasimha urged the public not to panic, stating that the state government is continuously monitoring the situation and acting in accordance with guidelines from the Central Health Department and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
