What is the process of swine flu (H1N1) screening used at airports?

Today I received an email from VFS advising as follows:

In view of the spread of the Swine Influenza A (H1N1) all passengers traveling to India will be screened at the International Airports in India on their arrival.

It's nice to be prepared and know what to expect when arriving at an airport, so I was wondering if anyone could explain what this screening actually involves and whether it is likely to cause long delays or other inconveniences.

What procedure is used to screen arriving passengers for H1N1 at international airports?

Best Answer

I'm not sure on this case, but often (on past panic of pandemia) this was done just with a thermal camera (and staff screening passengers). If I remember correctly on some countries (or airports, e.g. Taipei) they still make such screening (just camera and watching people)

Not 100% effective, but if one is very red in front, or high temperature, this person will be examined further. Without lab analyses, it is impossible to distinguish H1N1 from other flu. In any case, such measure is effective also if they block 30% of ill people.

Please [in general, not to you]: if you have flu, do no travel. Do not be egoistic: you will ruin travel, holidays, honeymoons, etc. of many other people. [Note: airlines could also block ill passengers, but although this is in travel rules, I never heard of people blocked for this]