Swine flu: all incoming passengers put through screening at airport

Totally 96 doctors have been deployed to man 32 counters at the 11 international airports.

The airport witnessed some anxious moments after a traveller from UK en- route to Hyderabad was kept under observation early on Friday morning,after he reported initial symptoms of the flu. He was later declared negative after medical tests at the airport.

Doctors from Central Government Health Services are handling the airport’s screening process,with an expert from the Delhi-based National Institute of Communicable Diseases helping out with protocols drawn up by Union health ministry to screen incoming international passengers.

“We are asking the passengers to fill up a form on flight along with their immigration forms detailing their medical and travel history. With this information,the medical team is conducting tests on those who indicate flu symptoms. The passenger who was allowed to go to Hyderabad reported flu indications in his form. However,after medical examination,he was cleared and allowed to go to Hyderabad,” said Dr Ravindra Katti,Swine Flu cell incharge,Directorate General of Health Services.

The health officials are keeping a tab on passengers coming from United States,Mexico,Germany,Canada,Austria,Israel,New Zealand,Spain and the United Kingdom.

While overall health screening of passengers coming from affected countries is continuing in 11 international airports across the country,the Mumbai airport was among the first to begin screening of international passengers that started on April 30.

At the other major entry points in the city along the city coast,the Mumbai Port Trust has prepared a team of four chest specialists,two nurses and ambulances to deal with the flu.

According to MbPT health officials,one nodal officer along with the port health officer enter the vessel before offloading and conduct medical check-ups similar to those conducted at the airport.

“We have started conducting the medical tests since April 29. The doctors at our peripheral clinics at the port have been alerted,” said Dr Jayant Tamaskar,chief medical officer,MbPT.

At the same time,25 beds have been identified for accommodating possible swine flu cases at the MbPT hospital in Wadala.

“Since the incubation period of the virus is seven days,we are not taking any chances. We will be following up on a regular basis,even with those who depart from Mumbai. Till we get the kits to conduct the tests,we are going to take nasal and throat swabs of suspected passengers,” said Dr Tamaskar.

The state government,meanwhile,has organised an orientation session at JJ hospital on May 6 for doctors selected to tackle swine flu in the city.