Hyderabad: With two more suspected swine flu cases reported from Hyderabad, the health authorities want to take no chances even though the four suspected cases sent earlier from Hyderabad have, thankfully, tested negative.
Better safe than sorry - that is what has brought on masks to the faces of most health staff and visitors at Hyderabad's Chest Hospital where suspected H1N1 influenza cases are being kept in isolation.
This is where persons with suspected swine flu cases have been kept under quarantine. The hospital is trying to create more isolation space. Visitors have been asked to wear masks as well, as protective gear.
"We have stopped even family members from meeting. Not all health workers are being allowed to go in. Only those who need to go are going in wearing full protective gear,'' said Dr Subhakar, Chest Hospital, Hyderabad.
Medical teams stationed at Hyderabad airport are screening over 2000 people arriving everyday on 14-16 international flights from the H1N1 influenza affected countries.
"The vigil has also been stepped up at the ports according to a Central government directive that will include Vizag,'' said J Satyanarayana, Health Secretary, AP Government.
The airborne virus has an incubation period of 7-10 and is infectious even before the symptoms appears.