KATHMANDU: Even as health workers in the east have vowed to spearhead protests against the government indifference to properly address problems resulting due to swine flu (H1N1 influenza), Avian Influenza Control Project (AICP) -- the sole body in the country to minimise the threat posed by the highly pathogenic influenza -- said it was unaware of the same. 'I'm not at all knowledgeable about the protest programme called by health workers in the east as there has been no such reporting,' said Dr Jeetendra Man Shrestha, deputy coordinator of AICP, terming the slated protest 'unnecessary debate at the time of crisis'. All Nepal Progressive Health Workers' Association in the eastern region had organised a press conference yesterday to announce a stir against the government laxity to take up the necessary measures to tackle the ever-spreading swine flu. The body of more than 5,000 health workers demanded serious and effective response from the government in combating the pandemic influenza. Altogether 31 persons have contracted with the virus of the influenza, which first entered in Nepal on June 29, 2009. Shrestha, however, accused that some health workers were unnecessary blowing the issue out of proportion. 'We've been providing training to most of the health workers from last two years with the beginning of Bird flu. Moreover, we've sent a circular to every district for carrying out same just one-and-half months ago.' He also advised the health workers to involve in awareness programmes rather than complaining as the swine flu required preventive measures rather than curative. He added that people should be careful during festive season as there would be heavy mobility of people around the time. 'We won't be able to check each and every person entering via the border check points. Moreover, the real symptoms of the disease are seen only after 78 hours,' he added. He also claimed that they are adopting the strategy of the WHO to prevent the outbreak of the disease. 'We'll change the strategy if the disease breaks out at community level.' He appealed to various stakeholders as well as NGOs and INGOs working in Tarai districts for providing technical and financial assistance for coping with the present situation. 'We don't have enough budget for establishing other health desks at various border areas along the Nepal-India border,' he added.