For now, India is free of swine flu

The heath ministry said no one has been detected with swine influenza in India, a day after vigilance was stepped up at airports to scan incoming passengers.

The ministry denied a report of a case of the flu in Hyderabad. Officials clarified that even though clinical samples of a passenger from Texas were taken in Hyderabad after he showed signs of common cold, he didn’t have symptoms of swine flu.

The 27-year-old passenger went to a private hospital with symptoms of common cold and was referred to the government chest hospital. When he failed to report, the health authorities tracked him down to his residence.

“The passenger was monitored but was found healthy. His clinical samples have been sent to the laboratory. The report is awaited,” said Vineet Chawdhary, joint secretary, health ministry.

WHO raised the pandemic alert from phase 4 to 5, implying widespread human infection. But it said India had not reported any swine flu case and the country was prepared to handle a possible outbreak.

Of the 50,000 passengers who have entered India over the last 10 days, the ministry is zeroing down on those who arrived from Mexico and the US.

Screening of international passengers kicked off at international airports Wednesday midnight.

“There was a minor delay in clearing passengers, but passengers cooperated,” said a senior airport official in New Delhi. “Doctors and paramedics are fully equipped to deal with the situation.”