Emergency plan for Influenza A/H1N1 under consideration in Pakistan

Special Report: World Tackles A/H1N1 Flu 

ISLAMABAD, May 3 (Xinhua) -- The Ministry of Health of Pakistan has planned to hold inter-provincial coordination committee meeting to prepare emergency plan for handling a possible epidemic of Influenza A/H1N1, official Associated Press of Pakistan reported on Sunday.

Instructions have been issued to concerned departments for detection and handling of importation of H1N1 virus that causes the disease, initially known as swine flu, said the report.

The ministry has made proper arrangements in hospitals in this regard including immediate isolation and hospitalization of any suspected case.

Instructions have also been issued to the airport authorities regarding screening of all incoming passengers to check any importation of the virus.

The Health Ministry has issued instructions to the officials at sea ports and land entry points for screening of individuals on their entering to Pakistan.

Heads of educational institutions of the federal and provincial level have also been asked to advise parents to have proper check on their children particularly those having flu-like symptoms.

The APP quoted sources as saying that the heads of all hospitals across the country had been instructed to advise their staff to maintain the history of such incoming patients with flu-like symptoms and use protective measures while handling such patients.