As the number of swine flu cases crossed 100 today, the government said that Indian missions abroad have been directed to ask their respective countries to screen outgoing passengers for symptoms of the disease.
"I had written two letters to the ministry of external affairs and have got a reply saying that Indian missions abroad have been asked to tell the respective countries to screen outgoing passengers for symptoms of swine flu," Union minister for health and family welfare Ghulam Nabi Azad said at a press conference here.
Azad assured that the spread of the disease has been very less in India compared to other countries as is evident by the fact that out of the 104 persons who have tested positive, 61 have already been discharged after treatment.
Listing the number of steps taken by the health ministry, he said, from July one, 16 more laboratories across the country would be testing cases of swine flu.
Till now, only the National Institute of Communicable Diseases and the National Virology Institute were carrying out the tests.
In addition to this, 50,000 bottles of a paediatric Tamilflu syrup for children has also been procured.
The government was also importing four thermal scanners to be installed at the Delhi Airport to detect persons travelling with higher body temperature.
Meanwhile, in Kochi, three passengers, including a seven-year girl, who arrived at the airport here today from US and Canada, have been quarantined after they showed suspected symptoms for the flu.
The passengers, who complained of fever, arrived in three different flights and were immediately isolated and sent to Perumbavur taluk headquarters hospital for tests.
Three cases of swine flu were confirmed in Kerala yesterday.
