Swine flu: Guj NRI death prompts VGS to issue advisory

Ahmedabad, Aug 11 (PTI) The rapid spread of swine
flu has prompted the Vishwa Gujarati Samaj (VGS) to issue an
advisory to Non-Resident Indians, especially Gujaratis, to
avoid travelling to the state this winter, if they are
suffering from the disease.

The advisory has been planned by the VGS, an umbrella
organisation of Gujarati diaspora, following the fear that
influx of large Gujarati diaspora to the state every winter
can spread the disease very fast.

"Lot of Gujaratis living abroad come during Navratri
and Diwali which is followed by marriage season. Between mid
September to February, maximum number of Gujaratis visit the
state," VGS President Krishnakant Vakharia told PTI.

"They have been advised not to visit Gujarat if they
are suffering from swine flu," Vakharia said.

"We have issued the advisory to all our members in the
US, UK, Canada and African countries by email and newspaper
advertisements on the precautions to be taken while visiting
Gujarat on the backdrop of world-wide swine flu epidemic," he
said.

"If NRIs come to the state, they are asked to get a
thorough check up on arrival," he added.

The advisory follows the death of Non-Resident Indian
(NRI) Pravin Patel, the first victim of the disease in the
state who had come from Atlanta in the US to for vacation.

His wife has also been tested positive for the H1N1
virus.

Vakharia said the VGS has set up a small team of
doctors who can be contacted by Gujaratis if they visit the
state during the festive season.

The organisation has co-ordinators in the US and
European countries who can be contacted for further details.

"Most of the Gujaratis visiting the state during the
season congregate in Rajkot, Ahmedabad, Nadiad, Anand and
Surat," Vakharia added.

Meanwhile, Jain International Trade Organisation
(JITO), a business platform for NRIs too is planning to issue
an advisory to its members across the world.

"We are planning to issue guidelines to the JITO
members, on which our health committee is working. We are also
waiting for a final guideline from the Central government,
after which we will inform our members," JITO city president
Utkarsh Shah said.

The total number of positive H1N1 cases reported from
Gujarat is 14, out of which one person died. PTI PB
SDE
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