Having already claimed lives of over 159 people in Mexico and infected nearly a dozen others in the U.S., swine flu has become a cause of grave concern for human race.
The disease has already been declared a “public health event of international concern” by WHO. The global organization’s director-general, Dr. Margaret Chan, has appealed for increased stronger worldwide surveillance for curbing any outbreaks of such illness.
Global Measures
Governments of various countries around the world are on high alert to check for any flu like symptoms.
Following warning from WHO (World Health Organization) that the swine flu could grow into a pandemic, many countries across Asia, including Mexico, U.S., Russia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Japan and South Korea, are imposing health checks at airports to screen patients with flu symptoms.
Argentina has already declared a health alert and has directed passengers arriving on flights from flu-hit Mexico to report if they have any flu-like symptoms. China, too, has made it compulsory for those coming from flu-affected places to report immediately at ports of entry if they felt flu-like symptoms.
Russia has made it compulsory for all those coming from U.S. or Mexico to get their temperatures checked. “All airline passengers from Mexico and the United States will be passing through a contact-free heat sensor,” informed Gennady Pnishchenko, head of the Federal Consumer Protection Service, Russia.
Measures in Mexico
“[We are] monitoring minute by minute the evolution of this problem across the whole country,” Mexican President Felipe Calderon said as health officials counted suspected infections in six states from the tropical south to the northern border.
In Mexico, nearly 159 people have lost their lives to the swine flu. Mexican Health Minister Jose Angel Cordova stated that there are more than 1,300 cases being examined for any suspected infection.
The Mexican government has set aside an amount of $450,000 to take adequate measures to fight the flu. Meanwhile, President Calderon has already given special powers to the government to conduct tests on suspected cases and keep them isolated to curb the spread of flu.
People, especially tourists, have been urged to wear surgical face masks in Mexico. Museums have been closed and churchgoers have been asked to stay home. Stadiums, nightclubs and theaters have been closed by the authorities. Schools in the Mexico State, city and San Luis Potosi have been closed until May 6.
