Health alert declared across country to guard against Swine Flu infections
Reported April 28, 2009
New Delhi, April 28: Government has put on high alert all international airports and ports for identifying persons with suspected infection of swine flu.
Those traveling to affected areas have also been advised to defer their non essential travel. Official sources said that instructions have been given to track down people who arrive in India from Mexico, the US, Canada, New Zealand, Spain, France and the United Kingdom. A high level meeting chaired by the Director General, Indian Council of Medical Research reviewed the situation following the outbreak of the virus in Mexico. A strategy was put in place to prevent its outbreak in India. The meeting advised the States to review their preparedness against the disease. Meanwhile, government has prepared a proforma to be given to the passengers coming from affected countries for voluntary declaration of any flu symptoms. Arrangements have also been made that if any foreigner develops such symptoms subsequently, he can report to the authorities on the Toll Free No. 23921401 at the National Institute of Communicable Diseases. A round the clock call centre under the integrated disease surveillance project has also been established for attending the calls of the public. The Toll Free No is 1075.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) says the deadly swine flu virus first detected in Mexico can no longer be contained. WHO Assistant Director General Keiji Fukuda said countries should now focus on mitigating the effects of the virus. The WHO has raised its alert level from three to four, two steps short of declaring a full pandemic. The number of probable deaths from the virus in Mexico has officially risen to 152 though only 20 cases are confirmed. The WHO’s decision to raise the alert level to four came after an emergency meeting of experts, brought forward by a day because of concerns over the outbreak.
The US, Canada, Spain and Britain have confirmed milder versions of the disease.