Health department to monitor IIT-K to prevent H1N1 virus

As part of efforts to prevent swine flu outbreak in the city, the health department here has decided to keep a watch on students and faculties of IIT in view of their frequent interaction with foreigners.
     
People working in the world famous leather industry in the city will also be monitored as foreign businessmen and official delegations, who can be a potential bearer of the deadly virus, keep coming regularly, health officials said.
Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of the city Dr Ashok Nagaich told PTI that since Kanpur was home to the country's leading leather industry, it is regularly visited by foreigners.

Similarly, students and teachers of IIT Kanpur often travel abroad and the institute receives students from other countries as well on a regular basis. He said that the department is making efforts to prevent the virus from entering the city from outside, Nagaich said.

Officials at the city's Chakeri airport have been instructed to send incoming passengers for medical examination if they have cough or cold, he said.

"All hotels in the city have also been asked to inform the health authorities in case any of their guests fall sick. The hospital at the IIT campus has been instructed to do the same," he said. Nagaich said a city hospital has been equipped to deal with swine flu cases and a sample collection centre has been set up there.