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EXTRA staff and stricter measures to screen passengers for swine flu will be put in place at Bahrain International Airport (BIA) for the upcoming Haj
pilgrimage.
BIA director Mohammed Tamer Al Kaabi said the measures were being implemented in co-operation with the Health Ministry.
Several thousand passengers are expected to travel to and from or transit through Bahrain during the season, running from November 25 to 30.
"We are also planning to instal more thermal cameras to detect people who have fever and could be carrying the swine flu virus, but the focus of our attention is on creating awareness," said Mr Al Kaabi.
The airport is already broadcasting details and offering advice about swine flu at regular intervals in the passenger areas alongside flight information.
Mr Al Kaabi said officials were hoping a swine flu vaccine will be available towards the end of September.
Health Ministry public relations director Adel Ali Abdulla said officials were concerned the pilgrims could contract the virus in Saudi Arabia, where millions of people from around the world will congregate, and bring it back to Bahrain. He said the government was still waiting for advice from the World Health Organisation (WHO) on what to do about pilgrims from outside the region, who might transit through Bahrain on their way to and from Saudi Arabia.
An estimated two-and-a-half million worshippers travelled to Islam's holiest site for the Haj last December, including several thousand from Bahrain.
