The Health Ministry said it was prepared to protect Sri Lanka from being hit by another epidemic known as ‘Swine Flu,’ which has been identified as a global threat. The Health Ministry spokesman said yesterday (28), that the flu which has been reported in Mexico and several parts of the Mediterranean, has not yet been found in the Asian region.

The Ministry has endeavoured to prevent epidemiological infections such as SARS, Avian flu, Ebola from entering the country through its Epidemic Surveillance Programme. He said the programme monitors the ways in which foreigners and locals who have been abroad enter the country by keeping a close watch on the airport and the port.

The spokesman said that the Medical Research Institute and all MOH offices have been briefed on the possibilities of ‘swine flu,’ entering the country.

As reported by the WHO, symptoms of swine flu were high fever, breathing difficulties and eye inflammation. People working in piggeries in Mexico, have been affected by the flu. Therefore it is believed that the virus may live within the vector. However, it spreads amongst humans through the respiratory system, he added quoting the WHO report. (DJ)