Tamil Nadu steps up vigilance for swine flu

Chennai, Aug 7 (ANI): Health authorities in Tamil Nadu on Friday set up screening booths at the station in Chennai to examine passengers coming from areas where swine flu cases were on the rise.

"Chennai Corporation, the Railways and State Government are organising camps for screening people for swine flu, mainly coming form north India, Pune and Maharashtra," said Dr. Indirani, Medical Officer of Central Railway Station.

"We are screening people for having cough, fever, throat pain etc. and after our examination, if we suspect, the case will be referred to the city hospital," Dr. Indirani added.

The authorities have also issued advisories and publicised preventive measures for people with a suggestion to avoid unnecessary trips to swine flu affected places.

"We have given a general advisory to our people. Let them avoid unnecessary travels to places where there is increase in the number of HINI cases, places like Maharashtra and even in some other places where the number is on increase," said V K Subburaj, Principal Secretary to Government of Tamil Nadu for Health and Family Welfare.

Apart from the screening booths, frequent announcements were also being relayed through public address system at all important stations to spread mass awareness about the deadly H1N1 virus.

Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu Government also clarified that it had given a general alert on traveling to Maharashtra only on exigency and to avoid any leisure travel for the time being.

"There is no ban on travel to Maharashtra. We got reports that the situation in districts like Pune and Satara is a bit acute and hence suggested that people restrict travel till normalcy returns there," said Subburaj.(ANI)