PANJIM, AUG 24
The Nagapattinam district administration has announced plans to organise a massive screening programme to test pilgrims arriving for the 11-day Vailankanni festival starting from August 29, for H1N1 (Swine) Flu.
District Collector C Munianathan said that pilgrims from Goa,
Maharashtra, Kerala and other states would be screened at railway stations and bus stands. In addition, special screening teams would be deployed at the entrance to the town, he added.
Those who suffer from cold and/or fever would have to undergo treatment and compulsorily wear a mask, he said. Auto drivers and the staff of all lodges in the town have been instructed to intimate the authorities if they found anyone with swine flu symptoms.
A 20-bed ward has been created at Nagapattinam General Hospital for isolating patients with swine flu symptoms. Vailankanni Public Health Centre had also been provided with additional facilities.
