Swine Flu - Update

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ian_f
ian_f

I was browsing the UK FCO advice site, checking the dengue fever issue when I came across this.

" The Government of Sri Lanka has introduced surveillance measures at Katunayake (Bandaranayake) International Airport. On arrival in Sri Lanka travellers from affected countries (including the UK) should be prepared to be asked questions or be checked for symptoms by medical staff. Travellers suspected of having A (H1N1) will be admitted to the Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH) in Angoda for compulsory quarantine, testing and treatment. Travellers should be aware that transfer from the IDH to a more modern and better equipped private facility will not be permitted for those with suspected or confirmed H1N1. Travellers should consult their healthcare provider before travelling to Sri Lanka. "

I hadn't heard of this before and I don't know of any reports of people being affected by this. It seems however, that it may be sensible to make sure you are not feeling under the weather before going to SL. The prospect of being held under these conditions does not appeal...

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Pirate_At_50
Pirate_At_50

They do that in Nepal now, too.

Every form of addiction is bad, no matter if it is alcohol, morphine or idealism - Carl Jung
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sudi
sudi

Hi!

I think they do that in every airport in the world now...

i spoke with some tourists and they told me that a "temperature" camera (sorry i don't know the name in english) scan all the people on arrival. some people even don't notice the camera... If you have a normal temperature, if you don't have fever, you go through this scan without any problem...

it's just to prevent the flu to spread around the world....

Have a nice trip,
Severine

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ian_f
ian_f

The point is not the testing ( which is likely to be pretty shambolic knowing the bureaucratic nature of Sri Lankan official services. )

Its the prospect of being detained indefinately in a really crummy hospital that I am warning about.

Make sure you are not ill before you travel.

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Pirate_At_50
Pirate_At_50

Make sure you are not ill before you travel.

Duh

Every form of addiction is bad, no matter if it is alcohol, morphine or idealism - Carl Jung
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anonymous
anonymous

If the government hospitals are anything like the Indian ones, your more likely to come out of it with something you didn't have when you went in and not just a rash of mosquito bites either.

You'd think the tourist department would be falling arse over tit to get as much needed revenue back in the country after all the recent troubles, I've noticed they're not warning anyone of the 23,000 cases of dengue fever they've had this year plus all the cases of common flu that seem to be more of a risk.

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sudi
sudi

Hi!

I don't think so the hospital is as crummy as you think, or like india (i don't know these ones, never been to india). I saw some pictures on this hospital on tv and i go several time to the governement hospital in Tangalle to visit my parents in law. of course, it's not like europ hospital, but they are ok, old but clean. Usually it's a big room with 10 or more beds, each one with mosquito net. I don't know for the swine flu hospital if there are many beds in one room, should not because of quarantine...

People are not afraid to go to hospital here and i don't think they come out with another illness...

Severine

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ian_f
ian_f

That's a fair point Sudi.

I did not mean to be over critical of the hospitals in Sri Lanka. I imagine that it will not that bad - especially if you are not really ill. Just a touch of 'flu....

It is just that staying indefinately in ANY hospital instead of travelling in Sri Lanka is going to be a crummy experience.

The comment about dengue fever above is right on the nail though.

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sudi
sudi

Hi!

that's right! I also don't want to spend (money and time) my holiday in hospital ;) But it's also an experience... i usually visited doctors when i travelled because i have an ear problem each time i bath... very interesting to know the health system and the doctors in different country, but just spent one ou two hours, easy experience ;)

So, you are right, better check your healthy before travel, for you (avoid spend holiday in hospital) but also for the other passengers of the plane (avoid to get the flu)...

Severine

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