The government on Thursday decided to screen passengers from all countries arriving at the airports in the country for symptoms of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome rather than limiting it to those from where the virus has been reported, officials in New Delhi said.
This is being done in view of SARS being reported from more countries -- 18 in all, Health Ministry Joint Secretary Bhavani Thyagrajan said.
"No case has been reported in the country," she said, adding the government has also decided that all passengers disembarking in India need to fill a proforma, which is being finalised.
It would take care of even the incubation period and people would be advised to report to the authorities if they develop symptoms related to the SARS later, National Institute of Communicable Diseases Director Shiv Lal said.
He said the diagnostic kit for the infection would be available in the country in a day or two and the director general of the Indian Council of Medical Research has been asked to procure it through the World Health Oorganisation, Lal added.
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