ISLAMABAD, May 13: The government is considering installing infrared thermal scanners at all major airports in the country to fortify preventive measures against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Sars) with a financial assistance of the Asian Development Bank.

An official source told Dawn that the government had approached the ADB for the grant of $4 million to procure these thermal scanners which, if approved, would be installed to monitor body temperature of all incoming passengers at major entry portals. At present, such scanners are installed only at Dubai airport.

The source said a proposal in this regard had been forwarded by the National Institute of Health (NIH) through the ministry of health.

A series of training programmes will be initiated to educate airline crew about the prevention techniques of Sars and ways of handling suspected patients. The first training session would be held at the NIH, to be followed by similar programmes in Lahore, Karachi and other major cities.

The training module has been designed in line with emergency guidelines for the travellers and airlines issued by the World Health Organization and the NIH.

The guidelines suggested that the airline crew should be informed about the measures to be taken on detection of a traveller, showing symptoms of Sars which include high fever and one or more respiratory symptoms such as dry cough and shortness of breath, etc.

In case a suspected patient is on board, the flight will be required to alert the destination airport. On arrival, the sick passenger would be referred to airport health authorities for assessment and management. The aircraft passengers and crew should be informed of the person’s status as a suspect case of Sars.

The passengers and crew should provide all contact details for the subsequent 14 days to the airport health authorities.

The crew will also be advised to seek medical attention if they develop symptoms of the disease.