Ahmedabad imposes section 144 in bid to prevent swine flu

Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code, prohibiting mass gatherings without prior permission, has been imposed in Ahmedabad in order to prevent swine flu. However, gathering for marriages and death processions have been exempted.

According to reports, if the public events cannot be called off or postponed, organisers will have to take prior permission to ensure that proper care is taken to stop the spread of the virus.

Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda had yesterday made a statement in both Houses of Parliament regarding the swine flu situation in the country.

He said that teams have been sent from the Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry to guide and assist the state governments on Influenza or H1N1 as per need.

Swine flu is caused by H1N1 virus. Symptoms for swine flu include high fever, headache, muscle pain, diarrhoea, vomiting, stomach pain and internal and external bleeding.