I too have tropical moments and don't want to be carted off to hospital so I have come up with a cunning plan.

Once off the plane, I am going to try to keep cool by stripping down to my vest and bloomers. If they ask me why I am dressed like that, I shall say that this is the new fashion down my way.

It's all great fun, but I'm not sure we'le be laughing quite so much when it happens. We are going for a month in Nov and I'm a bit aprehensive just what ridiculous lengths the Indians will go to, in the event of an emergency. Dont expect their response to be sensible or measured. A lifetimes experience seeing how they deal with events beyond their control, lead me to be very worried re their possible response. At the very least I fully expect a great deal of confusion and hassle at all arrival airports, and if you are unfortunate to come down with it whilst there, well I dont really want to go down that road. Suffice to say, i fear there will be a lot more tears than laughter, if things follow the usual Indian pattern. Alan

It is already frustrating that it takes ages to get through immigration etc., with the swine flu checks you can bet it will take twice as long if not longer to get through. If your flight is one that arrives mid to late morning it will already be hot outside so by the time you get to the immigration desks you will be hot and sticky. As Gramps has said there will probably be a lot of tears shed at the airport.

I'm planning to take a couple of paracetamol about an hour before landing - I know it reduces a high temperature - I'm hoping it works the same where when I'm not sick

And whatever you do don't cough or sneeze when standing in the queue at immigration!!

Yes, and don't spit either! Not that anyone would dare.

There is a swine flu inspection desk at Dabolim which looks like a Blue Peter job on a bad hangover day. On my most recent arrival through this airport, the sticky back plastic desk was unstaffed and all arrivals went unquestioned and unchallenged.

Do not be alarmed about refusal of entry on arrival. As usual, it is a sub standard, non rigorous, going through the motions informality where you are unlikely to be even stopped. The staged photos on the front page of the local press look good though, and the announcements to the press are impressive, even if untrue.

Be alarmed, be very alarmed, if you believe recent Indian media reports of the swine flu statistics!

Mortality rate out of known 'diagnosed' cases is one death out of every forty infections. This reveals an inability to detect, isolate, and treat the condition. Check your personal insurance regards swine flu in India before booking. Would Goa/India ever admit to, or even know about the genuine number of infections?

The pandemic is out there and loose amongst a population of 1.2 billion. Do not underestimate the power of cross infection in a nation which lacks even the most basic of hygiene standards.

Fact : there are no 'isolation hospitals' in Goa for swine flu (or any other medical condition). There never will be. The main State hospital, GMC at Bambolim makes a WW1 field army hospital look like state of the art technology and conditions. Politicians are at this moment refusing to have even a four bed unit in their neighbourhood.

Your best chance if you get swine flu is to blag it back to the UK on the earliest flight, cross infect your fellow passengers, but at least you will receive adequate medical treatment and recovery on arrival in UK. Compare global recovery statistics. In order to protect the valuable tourist market, as usual, the authorities are sweeping the truth under the carpet.

scary stuff !!, glad someone else here does'nt think this subject is a giggle. Alan

Anyone know if they allow you Gin and Tonics in there?

Polly50 this made us giggle!! as Mike did bring me a G&T in when i was in there!!! and ice and lemon!!
chilly

I would not worry about it when contracting swine flu you are very likeley to have a soaring temperature upset stomach and possibly vomiting, the runs, aching limbs etc..its not nice so if you caught it before you went its unlikeley you would travel anyway.
If anybody is worried about contracting swine flu out in India why not blag some Tamiflu from the NHS before you go," no I did not just say that I only thought it " Tamiflu by the way does not cure the condition it only eases the symptoms .

Steve (in isolation just recovering from it)

ahh hope you are feeling better Steve...
chilly

Yes I'm much better thank you, the worst part is the first few days when you have the high temperature and sickness, and to the folks who may think " how do I know if I have got it "
believe me you will know.
I have not looked at the form from the IHC about swine flu but I presume it says have you had it or been in contact with someone who has ?
What would I put down a difficult one for sure...

Steve

Good to hear youre on the mend Steve

Latest news from Goa:Thermal scanners and free accomadation!!

http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=27049&cid=2

I thought thermal scanners simply detected a raised temperature, not simply swine flu symptoms. As far as isolation units go, I'll take my chance isolated in my hotel room, any removal to isolation units will have to be done forcably, Im afraid !! Alan

Extract taken from Oheraldo

it is not known when exactly the thermal scanners would be procured and brought to Goa to be installed at the airport

Any suggestions from HTers.

I think 22 May 2011 for delivery and connected to the electric the following January

GM06 Ian

hi
in case any of you are worried here is link to official goa report

http://goagovt.nic.in/dir_Health.html

That soon Ian?

I'm with Alan, if I feel ill I shall stay put in my accommodation - less chance of spreading the infection then and far more comfortable than most of the hospitals I've seen over there. An old TB hospital being set up as an isolation unit sound really good to me - NOT
It's a good job they weren't scanning for high temperatures last November when I went, I was on antibiotics for bronchitis and although I felt miles better than I had done earlier that week (thought I was going to die) I still wasn't 100% - hope the same doesn't happen if I go this November - they won't let me in and I'm sure they wouldn't listen to any protestations from me. Very worrying situation although got to say the feminine take on "hot flushes" had me in fits - blast, I get them too Fizz

Let's face it though, even if you do feel bad and have a bit of a temperature, you're not actually going to admit to it on the form are you?

I've just had a look at the form. I take it we tick "Yes" for have you visited/transited infected countries in the last 10 days?