The Health Department will seek permission from the Centre to screen passengers at KIA from the Middle-east where deaths were reported because of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV).
Health and Family Welfare Minister U T Khader told reporters on Friday: “We are aware of the situation in Middle-east countries, including Saudi Arabia. Once we get the Centre’s nod in this regard, we will take measures”.
The minister said MERS-CoV is similar to SARS, hence, passengers from those countries should be screened.
On H1N1 cases in the state, he said since January, eight deaths were reported and 80 cases tested positive. He said the department has undertaken awareness measures among people against the spread of the disease and admitted that the number of H1N1 cases have been increasing.