The Department of Public Health may put up help desks at the Coimbatore Airport to refer to appropriate A (H1N1) influenza treatment centres the participants of or visitors to the World Classical Tamil Conference that will be held here from June 23 to 27.
Director of Public Health R.T. Porkai Pandian told presspersons on Tuesday that doctors and other staff of the Department of Public Health at the help desks could be approached for guidance by persons who experienced symptoms such as sore throat and fever.
But, there would be no compulsory screening of the passengers at the airport, the health official said.
There was no need to rush into a compulsory screening as the visitors or participants might have checked up for symptoms before embarking on the trip, Dr. Pandian said.
The State had reported only one case each in April, May and June this year, as against the 3,096 positive cases in March, April and May last year.
After a meeting with health officials of Coimbatore, Tirupur, Udhagamandalam, Tirunelveli, Kanyakumari and Theni districts to discuss the impact of the flu situation in Kerala, he said the department would set up screening booths along the inter-State border in these districts.
The meeting also discussed measures to prevent the occurrence of dengue and chikunugunya during the South West Monsoon.
Rally
Dr. Pandian flagged off a rally by doctors, department staff, students and members of the public to stress diseases prevention during the Tamil conference. It was organised by the Department of Public Health and the Kovai Medical Centre and Hospital.
Dr. Pandian said rallies to stress mosquito and flies control would also be organised in the run-up to the conference.
