Goa to warn tourists about swine flu

PANAJI - With one swine flu death and 30 H1N1 cases reported in Goa this year, the state government has now started cautioning tourists coming to Goa about the disease.

State Chief Secretary Sanjiv Srivastava, in a written order Friday, asked the state tourism department to publish a handout on swine flu related Dos and Don’ts which will be made available to all tourists checking into hotels in Goa, which is known for its beach-oriented tourism.

“The handouts will reach all the tourists checking into hotels in the state and will carry information on the symptoms of H1N1 and the steps to be taken in case of any need. The state health services department is also co-ordinating with the tourism department to create awareness amongst the tourists coming into Goa,” a senior directorate of health services official said.

A swine flu-related awareness campaign will also be conducted at public places like cinema halls, bus stations and railway stations, the official said.

A state core monitoring committee meeting on H1N1 held at the state Secretariat Friday also discussed measures that needed to be taken to exhaustively monitor swine flu at schools and workplaces.

“The current H1N1 scenario in Goa was reviewed vividly along with all the measures which have been taken to control H1N1. The state education department was also ordered to instruct schools and colleges to follow the guidelines in connection with children who have symptoms of H1N1.

“Absenteeism in schools is also being monitored and reported to the respective health officers for timely action,” a press statement issued by the state information department stated.

The tourism department, meanwhile, has already updated H1N1 information on its website.