from Sanjay Borkar in Dabolim-Vasco
Pic: Sagun Gawade & Kalakruti
Daijiworld Media Network - Goa
Vasco, Apr 30: A total of 50 passengers flying home from Dubai, who landed at the Dabolim airport at about 1.15 am on Thursday April 30 were in for surprise as doctors on special duty at the airport asked for their throat swabs. The doctors pressed to duty by the government to screen for swine flue, asked the passengers whether they had any symptoms of swine flue. But what was more baffling that most of them were not even aware of the disease. Nevertheless they rebuffed the question and ascertained that they did not have any symptoms of swine flue. Hence no throat swabs were taken.
The passengers, mostly Goans working in Dubai, who traveled home on IC 594, Indian Airlines International flight on Thursday night were eager to meet their family members who were waiting eagerly outside the airport. But the team of doctors held them back for health check up. As the doctors started asking them questions regarding their health, most of them hastened to complete formalities in a bid to meet their near and dear ones.
Epidemiologist Dr Dyson and microbiologist Dr Parvez Akhtar, under the supervision of Dr Narsimha Bhat, MD, Post Health Officer, Marmagoa, inquired with passengers whether they had toured the swine flue-affected countries like Mexico, US, New Zealand, France, Canada and UK. Only one passenger was found touring Canada. Though the doctors on duty took his information, they later said he had no symptoms of swine flue. However, doctors refused to reveal his identity.
When doctors were asked as to why they were not taking the throat swabs of passengers, they said that those having symptoms of swine flue like fever, lethargy and lack of appetite, running nose, coughing, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea were supposed undgergo thorough screening. Since no one was reported with any of these symptoms, throad swabs were not taken.
Replying to one question Dr Dyson informed that passenger cannot lie, as certain symptoms can easily be traced on patient's face.
According to him if any one is found with symptoms, they will take the throat swab and will send it to laboratory. If he/she is found to be infected, then the patient will be told to take precautions and he will also be isolated from the rest, so that the disease does not spread.
Although most of the local, national and international media has given the much space to news of swine flue, some of the passengers were not aware of the same and were seen asking media persons about the disease.
One of the foreign couples, while speaking to this correspondent said that there are no swine flue cases in Dubai and they have knowledge of the said disease.
It was also surprising to note that only the doctors on special duty were seen wearing mask while no other staff of airport was taking precaution, raising doubts in people's mind as how far the government is concerned about the matter.