Swine influenza surveillance on airports, India

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The Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation has directed all International Airports across India to facilitate the enhanced surveillance and screening of passengers arriving from nations affected by Swine Influenza A (HINI).

The Airport Authority of India (AAI) has been directed by the Ministry to issue instructions to all the 17 International Airports of the country including the five with private operators to set up facilities for screening of international passengers/crew arriving from affected country.

These screening stations are to be manned by medical and para-medical personnel provided by the Ministry of Health. The Ministry has directed the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) to grant temporary entry passes to the identified health personnel.

Instructions have also been sent to the DGCA to make urgent arrangements for all pilots to provide a General Declaration on health to the Airport Health Organisations wherein any illness other than airsickness or the effects of accidents in the aircraft is declared. Crew members are also to be sensitized to be vigilant regarding passengers coming from Swine Flu affected countries and to report to the immigrations authorities and Airport Health Officials of any suspected case.

Passengers and crew arriving from affected countries have to declare about the presence of fever and respiratory symptoms, history of visit to any swine flu affected area or history of contact with swine flu cases, through a specially designed proforma.

Source: Press Information Bureau, India


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