The Airport Health Organization (APHO), Tiruchirapalli is a subordinate office under control of Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. It is primarily responsible for discharge of functions as enjoined upon the Airport Health Officer under the provisions of the Indian Aircraft (Public Health) Rules, 1954 [framed under the Indian Aircraft Act 1934 (XXII of 1934)]. It was set up in 1949 with the purpose of implementing the international Aircraft Health Rules in order to prevent the spread of epidemic diseases like plague, Yellow fever & Cholera. This organization is a subordinate organization to The Directorate General of Health Services.

1. Health screening of international passengers and quarantine (Routinely and during Public Health Emergency of International Concern-PHEIC).
2. Disinfection, disinsection of aircrafts.
3. Checking of “General Declaration” issued by pilot.
4. Supervision of general sanitation.
5. Supervision of Anti-mosquito and anti-rodent work inside the premises of airport/ports.
6. Issuance of clearance certificate for Dead bodies from abroad.
7. Public Health Clearance of Onboard death.
8. Isolation and the quarantine arrangements.
9. To attend medical emergencies.
10. Maintenance of food hygiene and Licensing of eating establishments.

Quarantine and Isolation

Anyone arriving by air without a certificate is detained for quarantine upto six days if that person:

1. Arrives within six days of departure from an infected area, or
2. Has been in such an area in transit (excepting those passengers and members of the crew who, while in transit through an airport situated in an infected area, remained within the airport premises during the period of their entire stay and the health officer agrees to such exemption), or
3. Has come by an aircraft which has been in an infected area and has not been disinfected in accordance with the provisions laid down in the Indian Aircraft Public Health Rules, 1954 or those recommended by WHO.

No other vaccination certificate is mandatory. Precautions can be taken against Typhoid, Hepatitis, Meningitis, Measles, Mumps, Cholera, etc.

Vaccination

Presently, yellow fever vaccination has not been administered in this Organization. However, Port Health Organization, Tuticorin, which is the nearest authorized yellow fever vaccination center where vaccination is being done.