SARS: DGHS is happy with IGIA

He said the staff was wearing protective gear and emergency medicines were updated. Six health counters have been set up and passengers are required to endorse the proforma before proceeding to immigration counters.

‘‘We checked the staff roster and oversaw the measures taken by the airport health officer in case of a probable or suspected SARS case,” he added.

The DGHS has also ordered deputation of four female doctors under the airport health officer to strengthen the surveillance staff. ‘‘A good percentage of passengers coming to India are ladies. As some of them may take offence on being checked by men, we are ensuring the presence of women doctors when passengers disembark at the airport,’’ he said.

Meanwhile, the DGHS has hailed cracking of the genetic code of the SARS virus as a major step in diagnosis and protection against the disease. ‘‘Scientists have broken the entire gene code. They have found out that the mutated virus has 30,000 genome pairs, while the normal corona virus has just 2,000 genome pairs. Such discoveries can lead to accurate diagnosis and even development of vaccine,’’ he said.