ARMENIA HAS AVOIDED SO FAR SWINE FLU CASES
ARKA
Nov 4, 2009
YEREVAN, November 4, /ARKA/. Armenian health minister Harutyun
Kushkian said today no cases of swine flue have been reported in the
country. Speaking to journalist he said health authorities have taken
all precautionary measures to ward off penetration of the disease
into Armenia.
According to the minister, Armenia has avoided so far any cases of
swine flu due to "diligent 24-hour strict sanitary hygienic control"
in airports and border crossings since April. He said a deputy health
minister with a team of specialists have left today for Bagratashen
border crossing on the Armenian-Georgian border for a closer monitoring
of the situation because the diseases is raging in Russia, Ukraine;
cases of swine flue were reported also in Armenia’s neighbouring
countries.
The minister said passengers flying into Zvartnots International
Airport are required to fill out a form that includes information on
the passenger’s intended whereabouts in Armenia and contact information
in case they experience any symptoms of the flu. Besides, a special
infrared scanner detects arriving passengers with high temperatures.
The minister said he ordered recently to buy 9000 extra doses
of Tamiflu drug used to treat people with flu. He said also the
authorities have not bought anti-swine flu vaccine waiting for the
final results of testing in many countries.