DGCA’s proforma for passengers from swine flu areas

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has asked all airlines operating to India to make available to all international passengers copies of a proforma that is designed for the purpose of declaration to the Airport Health Organisation as part of the screening of arrivals from countries affected by swine flu.

An official statement said the proforma must be distributed to all passengers and crew members of the airlines before they disembark in India.

All persons coming to India from countries which have reported human cases of swine flu, such as the United States, Mexico, Canada, Austria, Germany, Israel, New Zealand, Spain and the United Kingdom will be required to fill up this proforma. They will have to provide information if they have visited/transited these countries in the past 10 days and, if they have, whether they have experienced any symptoms related to the flu.

Personal information regarding seat number, flight number, passport number, contact address, ports of embarkation and disembarkation will also be collected through the proforma.

The proforma also informs passengers regarding the steps to be taken in case they develop any flu-like symptoms during the flight or within seven days of their arrival in India. This proforma, duly filled, will be retained by the immigration officer, the statement added.

Meanwhile, the health screening of passengers is continuing at 21 international airports in the country.

Yesterday, for instance, as many as 33,867 passengers were screened, including 7867 from the affected countries. One passenger at Hyderabad was referred to the identified health facility. So far, more than 4.55 lakh passengers have been screened.

So far, samples of 46 persons have been tested and found negative for Influenza H1N1. Samples of three persons are under testing.

"As of now, no case has been reported in India. The situation is being monitored," a statement from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said.

NNN