UwidoNews

With the World Health Organisation designating swine influenza outbreak as a public health emergency of international concern, India on Monday put on alert all international airports and ports for identifying persons with suspected infection who could be arriving from countries affected.

India Monday issued a travel advisory on swine flu, asking Indians to restrict travel to the United States, Mexico, Canada, New Zealand and France, reported local newspaper Times of India electronic edition on Monday. The advisory was issued after the Union Health Ministry held a high-level meeting here with experts from National Institute of Communicable Diseases and Indian Council of Medical Research, to work out preliminary containment measures if the virus is reported in Asia, said the report.

India on Sunday went on an alert after a swine flu outbreak, that has killed up to 81 people in Mexico and sickened more than 1,300others, appeared to be spreading to countries like the US and New Zealand.The health ministry has called an emergency preparedness meeting of experts from National Institute of Communicable Diseases and Indian Council of Medical Research on Monday morning to chalk out preliminary containment measures if the virus springs up in Asian countries.

American Airlines, Continental Airlines Inc. and other carriers are on “heightened awareness” for travelers with possible swine flu symptoms while maintaining flight schedules to Mexico, where the outbreak is worst. Passengers are being given the option to rebook Mexico trips without penalties or fees, and airlines are awaiting further guidance from authorities including the World Health Organization, spokesmen for U.S. carriers said yesterday.

Swine flu crossed new borders Tuesday with the first confirmed cases in the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific region , while the number of U.S. cases jumped to 68 and Mexico ordered restaurants to only serve takeout as a way to limit large public gatherings.Meanwhile, world health officials in Geneva were concerned that the virus appears to be establishing itself in communities and be able to produce larger outbreaks outside Mexico, possibly causing a flu pandemic.

The swine flu death toll in India has climbed up to 413, with the demise of 5 more persons reported from different parts of the country on Sunday.

At least 5 more people died of A H1N1 virus yesterday, taking the swine Flu death toll in India to 303. A 12-year-old Chandigarh girl was among the five people, who succumbed to A H1N1 on Monday.

Nine swine flu deaths, including five in Rajasthan, were reported Thursday, taking the toll in India to 600, health authorities said. Delhi recorded its highest number of cases on a single day with 176 people testing positive for the virus.

Two swine flu deaths were reported in India Wednesday, taking the toll due to the Influenza A (H1N1) virus to 560, health authorities said here.