COLOMBO: With a surge in swine flu cases in neighbouring India, a top Sri Lankan medical official has asked people to avoid visits to India to
safeguard themselves against the deadly H1N1 virus.
Dr Paba Palihawadana, Chief Epidemiologist of the Epidemiology Unit of the Healthcare and nutrition
Ministry, said travel to India must be restricted as much as possible to prevent getting infected with H1N1 virus.
"Persons who cannot avoid trips to India should take all precautionary actions to prevent from getting infected," Palihawadana told the state run Daily News yesterday.
Twenty-six people have so far died due to swine flu in India.
"A large number of Sri Lankan pilgrims visit India everyday and it is the main risk that Sri Lanka is facing at the moment. They should try their best to avoid or at least postpone such trips for some time," she said.
She also advised Sri Lankans to avoid mass gatherings as far as possible and to keep away from sick people, the newspaper reported.
"Persons who develop influenza type sickness after travelling abroad should seek medical treatment and consult a doctor or the Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH), Angoda as soon as possible," Palihawadana said.
"If infected persons voluntarily come forward and seek medical treatment they can protect their family members and the society," she said.
safeguard themselves against the deadly H1N1 virus.
Dr Paba Palihawadana, Chief Epidemiologist of the Epidemiology Unit of the Healthcare and nutrition
Ministry, said travel to India must be restricted as much as possible to prevent getting infected with H1N1 virus.
"Persons who cannot avoid trips to India should take all precautionary actions to prevent from getting infected," Palihawadana told the state run Daily News yesterday.
Twenty-six people have so far died due to swine flu in India.
"A large number of Sri Lankan pilgrims visit India everyday and it is the main risk that Sri Lanka is facing at the moment. They should try their best to avoid or at least postpone such trips for some time," she said.
She also advised Sri Lankans to avoid mass gatherings as far as possible and to keep away from sick people, the newspaper reported.
"Persons who develop influenza type sickness after travelling abroad should seek medical treatment and consult a doctor or the Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH), Angoda as soon as possible," Palihawadana said.
"If infected persons voluntarily come forward and seek medical treatment they can protect their family members and the society," she said.
i have no immediate plans to visit India
