Kakarbhitta, Aug 27

The alertness of Nepalese authorities against swine flu is limited only formality in the wake of the disease claiming fifty-seven lives in different Indian cities.

The number of people from swine flue is increasing day by day in different cities in the West Bengal of India. But the health check-up on tourists and Nepali workers entering Nepal from Kakarbhitta, the easternmost border transit point, is not taking place in satisfactory manner.

The district office Kakrbhitta has set up a check post near the immigration office at Kakarbhitta for screening the people entering Nepal. Two health workers have been assignment to man the post.

However, the record kept at the check post shows the only fifty-three people entering Nepal from transit point have been screened foe swine flu last month. Thousands of people daily enter Nepal from India and other nations through this transit point.

President of the  Mechi Customs Agents’ Association, Mohan Niaula said screening of only fifty-three people at    such a busy transit point in one month where thousands of people enter daily shows the health authorities are only carrying out the screening as formality, they are not serious.

Chief of the District public Health Office, Jhapa, Nawaraj Subba, however, said the alertness against swine in the district is satisfactory and the health workers at the check post as screening all suspect cases.

Earlier, District Public Health Office has adopted special alerts to get prevented from swine flu in Dhanusa at a time when the number of people affected from the outbreak is climbing up in the country. Some 19 people have been so far infected from the swine flu but it has not been notified in Dhanausa, according the Health Office.

Necessary directives were given to health posts and sub health posts across the district to adopt special alerts and steps for the prevention of swine flue pandemic, said Public Health in-charge Suchidannanda Dev.

    The office has deployed a Rapid Response Team (RPT) to help identify swine flu victims and prevent possible outbreak of the disease. Some 12 RPT have mobilized for the purpose in various parts of the district.

   Special alerts have been taken into account keeping in mind the outbreak of swine flu in Indian state Bihar the Nepal-India boarder.