ISLAMABAD, Nov 21 (APP): The Ministry of Health has been asked to take preventive measures regarding proper screening of all incoming passengers to check any importation of swine virus.Citizens complained that due to inappropriate arrangements at airports to check the incoming passengers particularly from swine flu affected countries there is a chance of import of such virus.They demanded that besides making proper arrangements at airports, seaports and land entry points should also be covered for screening of individuals on their entering Pakistan.

Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) sources confirmed that many overseas Pakistanis and other countrymen are admitted in the hospital with different viruses they carried from countries they visited.

They said though no H1N1 virus has been reported in them but preventive measures should be adopted to protect the citizens from having such virus.

When contacted an official of ministry of Health said that instructions have been issued to the concerned departments for detection and handling of importation of H1N1 virus.

He said the ministry has made proper arrangements in the hospitals in this regard including immediate isolation and hospitalization of any suspected case.

He said instructions have also been issued to the airport authorities regarding screening of all incoming passengers to check any importation of the virus.

Similarly, the ministry has issued instructions to the officials at sea ports and land entry points for screening of individuals on their entering.

He said heads of educational institutions of the federal and provincial level have also been asked to advise parents to have proper check on their children particularly those having flue-like symptoms.

He said the heads of all hospitals across the country have been instructed to advise their staff to maintain the history of such incoming patients with flu-like symptoms and use protective measures while handling such patients.

Dr. Wasim Khawja of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) said the symptoms of swine flu are similar to most influenza infections like fever, cough, nasal secretions, fatigue, and headache with fatigue.

He added some patients also get nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea while some patients develop severe respiratory symptoms and need respiratory support such as a ventilator to breathe.

Dr. Khawja said patients can get pneumonia if the viral infection persists, and some can develop seizures. He said influenza viruses mainly spread from person to person in respiratory droplets of coughs and sneezes.

He added this can happen when droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person are propelled through the air and deposited on the mouth or nose of people nearby.

He said influenza viruses may also be spread when a person touches respiratory droplets of another person or an object and then touches their own mouth or nose or someone else’s mouth or nose before washing their hands.