Romania takes all measures to ward off swine flu

BUCHAREST

All measures suggested by the health ministry have been taken to prevent a possible outbreak of swine flu in Romania, Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Dan Nica said on Monday after a meeting of the National Emergency Committee.

He told prefects at a videoconference that the institutions with duties in the area are applying the measures to prevent swine flu in accordance with the EU recommendations. 

There is still no information about imports of live hogs from Mexico, and as far as this is concerned, the situation in Romania is not risky, said Nica, mentioning that there is an action plan in place for checking hog imports at the border checkpoints as well as a public information campaign underway.

Among the measures already taken are monitoring people coming from Canada, Mexico, the United States and Spain, all countries where swine flu cases have been recorded, and informing about the symptoms of swine flu at all border checkpoints.

Health Minister Ion Bazac assured that there is no swine flu case in Romania and urged all the institutions to observe the EU epidemiological plan, which comprises special rules already adopted by Romania. Bazac added that the Health Ministry and the Interior Ministry had issued travel advisories for Romanian citizens and foreigners visiting Romania.

The minister also said that the health ministry will intensify the supervision of flu cases in accordance with the recommendations of the World Health Organization, warning against traveling to the areas where the disease has been confirmed.