Tulihal airport on alert to check landing of swine flu

IMPHAL, Jun 19 : With spread of swine flu in other parts of India, Tulihal Airport at Imphal has been sanitised thoroughly even as a team of doctors from the Health Services started screening of passengers arriving from foreign countries.

A top official of the State Health Services informed that with spread of swine flu in other parts of the country, Tulihal Airport has been sanitised thoroughly and protective gear and mask have been provided to all the staff of the airport starting from grade IV employees upto the level of General Manager.

In accordance with the instruction of the Ministry, checking of the passengers returning from foreign trips has also been started since June 17, the official said, adding that no suspected cases have been detected so far.

The Viral Transport Media, the medical equipment required for collecting the blood samples of suspected patients for testing have also been provided to the State, the official said, adding that the State machinery is now fully prepared to meet the situation.

Apart from constituting a State Level Influenza Pandemic Committee with Chief Secretary as the chairman, necessary medicines have also been kept in stock to pre-vent any possible outbreak of the disease in the State, the official further informed.

It may be recalled here that the State Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department had already notified for contacting its disease investigation laboratory for the requisite testing if any person came across similar symptoms of Swine flu among the Pigs which are the carrier of the virus HINI responsible for spreading Swine flu.

- The Sangai Express