•Compulsory HINI test for 38°C body temp. • Alert for bronchitis, pneumonia patients DHULUM – The Ministry of Health has given private hospitals the go-ahead to supply the anti-flu drugs Tamiflu and Relenza to patients affected by swine flu. The advisory to medical centers and both public and private hospitals said that all patients with body temperatures of above 38°C should be tested for swine flu. Normal temperature is around 37°C. The ministry, as it renews its measures to combat the virus in accordance with recommendations from the National Scientific Committee on Epidemic Diseases (NSCED), has decided not to issue daily announcements on unconfirmed cases of swine flu. The NSCED has among its recommendations the use of thermal cameras at air and sea ports. Pilgrims entering the borders by land will not be checked unless they complain of the virus's symptoms, in which case they are to be referred to the border point clinic. Further recommendations include treating all bronchitis and pneumonia sufferers as potential swine flu victims with the application of the corresponding measures, while medical staff should undergo regular temperature tests with any employee displaying symptoms of the virus being treated as carrier and excused from duties until test results are returned. Medical workers who have had contact with persons affected by swine flu are to remain away from HIV and cancer patients.
