Swine flu gets an easy checkin into Tamil Nadu

The deadly H1N1 virus is back in Tamil Nadu, this time manifesting itself in 25 people already. But the state government seems to be taking the situation lightly, as it is yet to begin screening for the virus at passenger entry points into the city, despite 11 people dying from swine flu last year.
Medical camps have been set up at six entry points in six districts bordering Kerala, where the situation is the worst, Director of Public Health R T Porkaipandian said, but no screening is being carried out there either.
Health department sources say there is an upsurge in swine flu cases in Coimbatore and Kanyakumari, despite 25 being the official number.
Yet, there are no screening centres at Egmore or Central railway stations nor at the Chennai airport, not to mention Koyambedu bus stand, which records about five lakh footfalls a day.
While measures for controlling swine flu were taken before the World Tamil Conference held in Coimbatore, with swine flu help desks being set up at the railway stations in the city, not much has been done since the meet closed.
Health Secretary V K Suburaj, meanwhile, said that the government has no plans for swine flu screening.