India, July 31 -- India has introduced a mandatory health declaration for all international air passengers as part of its response to the current outbreak of Bundibugyo Ebola in parts of Africa. The form asks travellers to fill out personal details, seat numbers, symptoms, recent travel, and possible exposures. Although it appears to be a sensible precaution, whether it will meaningfully reduce the risk of a patient with Ebola entering India is unclear.

Traveller questionnaires have long been part of the public health response in India to emerging infectious diseases but their effectiveness depends on whether the information provided is accurate. At Indian airports, immigration officials collect forms with little opportunity to verify an...