Doctors begin screening of tourists at Dabolim

NT NETWORK
Posted on 2009-04-30
VASCO- The state health authorities and the Dabolim airport authorities on Wednesday begun the screening of tourists arriving in the state to prevent the outbreak of swine flu in Goa.
With directions from the World Health Organisation, the state authorities have been put on alert to prevent the spread of swine flu, by screening and thoroughly checking the foreign passengers arriving in the state.
The directorate of health services has opened a centre at the airport, at the international arrival terminal, which will operate in two units. The health department has also opened an isolated room at the Cottage Hospital at Chicalim for suspected patients, if any, who are found on arrival at the airport.
The airport director, Mr D Paul Manickam informed that the airport authorities are all set to carry out the action plan. Mr Manickam said that there is no fear of the outbreak of the disease in the state as the tourists arriving through chartered flights in the state could be few. He said that there were only three chartered flights left in this season, out of which one would arrive on May 1 from Gatwick while the remaining two flights would land in Goa from Russia on May 3 and 10, informed Mr Manickam.
The team of doctors screening the air passengers consists of state chief epidemiologist, Dr Rajendra Tamba, Dr Swapnil Salelkar, Dr Dyson Misquita, Dr B S Babu (training consultant), Mr Parvez Akhtar and Mr Shivdas, both microbiologists and a nurse and a servant. The above-mentioned team of doctors will also keep a constant check on the isolated room opened at the Cottage Hospital at Chicalim. When contacted, the team appeared to be fully geared for the action plan.