Harbor monitors passengers for swine flu
Güncelleme Tarihi:
Doğan News Agency
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Temmuz 01, 2009 00:00
ÇEŞME - A thermal-camera system has been installed in Çeşme harbor with the goal of detecting those infected with the H1N1 virus, also known as "swine flu," before they enter Turkey.
Ilgaz Nacakoğlu, the doctor responsible for the harbor, said all precautions advised by the World Health Organization have been put into effect at Çeşme harbor. "Since the passenger ferry began to operate between Çeşme and Italy on May 1, and as three ships a day arrive in Çeşme from the Greek island of Chios, we have decided to upgrade the precautions and procured a thermal camera to monitor passengers," Nacakoğlu said, adding that a mobile camera was preferred since the harbor has four piers and is not suitable for a fixed monitoring system.
The thermal-camera system has not yet met with any protests, the doctor said. "We do not use masks or special suits, so as to not irritate people," he added. "But we are very keen on the declaration cards the guests fill out. It is a way to reach people in a suspicious case. For example, if one passenger on a boat has the disease, we need the contact information of all passengers to check them also."
All the captains and crews of vessels carrying passengers to Çeşme have been trained about the risks and supplied with the necessary equipment and emergency phone numbers, Nacakoğlu said, adding that the harbor is ready for the worst-case scenario. In late April, WHO announced the emergence of a novel influenza A virus.
The virus is contagious, spreading easily from one person to another, and from one country to another. As of today, nearly 30,000 confirmed cases have been reported in 74 countries. As the death toll climbed, WHO declared a swine flu pandemic early last month.
The thermal-camera system has not yet met with any protests, the doctor said. "We do not use masks or special suits, so as to not irritate people," he added. "But we are very keen on the declaration cards the guests fill out. It is a way to reach people in a suspicious case. For example, if one passenger on a boat has the disease, we need the contact information of all passengers to check them also."
All the captains and crews of vessels carrying passengers to Çeşme have been trained about the risks and supplied with the necessary equipment and emergency phone numbers, Nacakoğlu said, adding that the harbor is ready for the worst-case scenario. In late April, WHO announced the emergence of a novel influenza A virus.
The virus is contagious, spreading easily from one person to another, and from one country to another. As of today, nearly 30,000 confirmed cases have been reported in 74 countries. As the death toll climbed, WHO declared a swine flu pandemic early last month.