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[007]

Thermal cameras at entry points to monitor swine flu
Arab News
29/04/2009

"RIYADH: With the swine flu epidemic spreading and new cases being reported in the Middle East, plans are under way to install thermal cameras at all entry points to the Kingdom to monitor passengers who might be carrying the influenza virus, the Health Ministry said yesterday.

The digital surveillance cameras will monitor people coming from infected areas by land, sea and air, Health Ministry spokesman Khaled Mirghalani said.

He said a scientific committee that was formed to prevent any possible outbreak of the flu was currently studying the recommendations made by the World Health Organization (WHO) to install thermal cameras.

�We are also following instructions given by the Atlanta-based Center for Disease Control, which has been monitoring the disease from the beginning,� the spokesman said.

�All 20 health regions in the Kingdom have been alerted and quarantine officials who will operate the thermal cameras at all entry points will be alert for passengers from affected countries,� he said, adding that the ministry�s laboratories are equipped to conduct clinical examinations on a 24/7 basis.

He pointed out that the ministry had also set up a toll-free telephone line � 800 249 4444 � for the provision of relevant information and clarification to the public and also to inform citizens and residents of the services offered by the ministry.

Mirghalani said, �The Health Ministry will also launch a Kingdomwide awareness campaign concerning the disease.�

He added that a special meeting of GCC health ministers would be held in Riyadh on May 9 to discuss uniform measures.

Dr. Amin Mishkas, director general of the Infectious Diseases Department at the ministry, said there was no vaccine against the flu, adding that Tamiflu injections could be administered for prevention and treatment. �The Health Ministry has adequate stocks of the medicine,� he said."
http://arabnews.com/?page=1&section=0&article=122013&d=29&m=4&y=2009

Well, since Egypt has started slaughtering the pigs population (around 350000!!), and this will take at least one or two months, then I guess the Magic Kingdom will ban all flights from Egypt or any other country which has the Swine flu?
I wonder if this action will affect our beloved teachers from Egypt, America, UK, Canada, Germany, Spain, Italy, China, etc?

Anybody got the Swine flu in the Magic Kingdom?

[Cleopatra]

I arrived in Riyadh airport yesterday and found no particular precautions. However, a colleague arrived from the US today said that all passengers had their temperatures taken by specially outfitted staff on arrival.

[veiledsentiments]

I just read today that your home country does have a case now... good thing the people in the airport hadn't seen it.

I wonder what they do if some of the passengers shows up with a temperature. Put them and every other person from the plane in quarantine? Lock them all up in a hotel like Hong Kong is doing?

VS

[007]

[veiledsentiments]

I would say that it is safe to say that she is not the one case...

VS