Swine flu: Avoid flying to southern hemisphere,warn doctors

“In the first week of the outbreak of swine flu in the US,we got 300 calls from frantic fliers,many of whom had booked their flight tickets. Since the disease was unheard of,many had called for understanding the virus. However,now the numbers have reduced,” said Dr Tanu Singhal,consultant travel health clinic,Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital.

She added,“But I get a lot of calls from other doctors; one almost every day for diagnosing swine flu. Many fliers are from the affluent class and are reluctant to go to a public hospital for tests. Even doctors would not like to see suspected swine flu cases in absence of diagnostic testing outside government set up.”

The doctors in the city get calls not just from fliers going overseas but even from those travelling within India.  

“Since India has 16 confirmed cases of which two are human to human,we are getting calls asking for preventive measures even within the country,” said Dr Kushrav Bajan of Hinduja Hospital.

“Fliers should avoid Australia,New Zealand or any country in the southern hemisphere since it is winter there and there is a tendency of the virus to spread more in winter,” said Dr Singhal.

Since the vacations are over and there is still time for the next batch of students going abroad for studies,travel to the affected areas is limited to business trips and otherwise unavoidable trips.

Apart from maintaining hygiene and avoiding crowded places,doctors advise the use of N 95 or N 96 triple layered masks,especially while traveling in planes.