Cambodia installs airport fever scanners to stem swine flu

Earth Times

Phnom Penh - Cambodia -began scanning passengers for fever at its two international airports Tuesday to stem the spread of swine flu. Staff at Phnom Penh and Siem Reap airports began screening passengers with thermal-imaging equipment Tuesday afternoon, said Ly Sovann, deputy director of the Department of Infectious Diseases at the Health Ministry.

Phnom Penh airport police commander Chor Kimly said health authorities used the same equipment during regional outbreaks of avian flu, which has killed seven Cambodians since 2003.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Health Ministry said there were no reported cases of the potentially deadly viral infection in the country.

A WHO and Health Ministry joint statement said Cambodia had a "pandemic response plan" and was equipped to manage a swine-flu outbreak.

"Cambodia has increased its surveillance for unusual respiratory illnesses in hospitals, health centres and airports," the statement said. "Cambodia has prepared stockpiles of various resources, including medication to treat viral infections, and has access to additional regional supplies if required."

There are no direct commercial air routes to Cambodia from Mexico, the United States, Spain or any other swine-flu-affected countries, but dozens of flights arrive daily from Thailand, Vietnam, China, South Korea, Malaysia, Taiwan and Singapore.