In the backdrop of pandemic alert for swine flu declared by the World Health Organisation (WHO), India has initiated some precautionary measures to keep the flu at arm’s length include setting up of special surveillance enclosure at international airports.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has directed all international airports across India to facilitate the enhanced surveillance and screening of passengers arriving from swine influenza affected nations.
Special surveillance enclosure being set up at the 17 international airports across the country will start functioning from Thursday (April 30) in order to screen the passengers coming from the flu affected countries. Instructions for the required facilities to be made available at these airports have already been issued.
India has stockpile of 1 million doses of Tami flu – the only medicine that could be effective, and the government has ordered for additional two million doses of Tami flu medicine to meet any eventuality.
Crew members have also been advised to be vigilant against risk caused by the swine flu while travelling to affected countries and also keep a watchful eye on passengers coming from swine flu affected countries and report to the immigration authorities and airport health officials of any suspected case.
As per the official release, it is mandatory for the crew members and passengers arriving from affected countries to declare about the presence of fever and respiratory symptoms, history of visit to any swine flu affected areas or history of contact with swine flu cases through a specially designed performa.
WHO Director-General Margaret Chan on Wednesday declared the phase 5 alert on a scale of 6 after consulting with flu experts from around the world.
“New diseases are poorly understood. Influenza viruses are notorious for their rapid mutation and unpredictable behaviour. Influenza pandemics must be taken seriously precisely because of their capacity to spread rapidly to every country in the world,” Chan said in a released statement.
All countries should immediately activate their pandemic preparedness plans that include heightened surveillance, early detection and treatment of cases, and infection control in all health facilities. Countries should remain on high alert for unusual outbreaks of influenza-like illness and severe pneumonia. "The biggest question right now is how severe the pandemic might be."
WHO has confirmed human cases of swine flu in Mexico, US, Canada, Britain, Israel, New Zealand and Spain.
Photo Credit: www.un.org
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