All entrants to be screened
As of May 19, 40 countries have officially reported 10,243 laboratory confirmed cases of influenza A (H1N1) infection, including 80 deaths
22 May, 2009 – With Swine Flu (influenza A H1N1) confirmed in India on May 16, the health ministry, officials say, is on its toes to prevent the deadly virus from entering the country.
“All passengers entering Bhutan from Paro airport are being screened and we’ll do the same at all entry points,” said the ministry’s programme officer, Pema Udon.
Pema Udon said that passengers’ travel histories are being checked to see if they originated from an influenza A (H1N1)-affected country in the last 10 days. “If a passenger with influenza like illness had travelled or transited from an affected country in the last 10 days, the ill passenger is suspected to be a case of the flu,” she said.
Suspected passengers will be checked and quarantined at the Paro hospital for treatment and care. It will take at least 10 days to confirm if the patient is suffering from the influenza.
Health officials have also asked tour operators and government counterparts to report to the health authorities if they develop influenza-related symptoms in seven days, for passengers with travel history to affected areas in the last 10 days but not ill while entering Bhutan.
Officials said that they have adequate stock of antiviral drugs, personal protective equipment (PPE) and manpower to manage, in case the disease spread within the country. The ministry has also issued thermal scanners, which detect increased body temperature – a possible indicator of flu to Paro airport and some more scanners have been ordered to be issued at all entry points.
Influenza A (H1N1) is a highly contagious disease. The symptoms are fever, headache, cough, sore throat and diarrhea and vomiting, in some cases. Human to human transmission of influenza A (H1N1) occurs due to close contact through respiratory droplets. If someone develops these symptoms one has to visit nearest health care or consult a doctor.
Health director general, Dr Dorji Wangchuk, said the disease was not related to the pig but that there were chances that people might get affected by eating not properly cooked pork. “Pork should be boiled at 70 degrees Celsius to prevent the disease,” said Dr Dorji Wangchuk, adding that those rearing pigs in villages should be extra careful. “Strict hygiene practice while handling pigs and covering the mouth while coughing or sneezing, washing hands and eating properly cooked pork are recommended.”
As of May 19, 40 countries have officially reported 10,243 laboratory confirmed cases of influenza A (H1N1) infection, including 80 deaths. Swine flu influenza outbreak was first reported in Mexico.
Source: Kuenselonline