Kathmandu, May 13:

The Special Health Desk set up at Tribhuvan International Airport in view of the spread of swine flu has brought to use the infrared thermometer since Friday.

Dr Gajananda P Bhandari, epidemiologist and the desk coordinator, said the technology facilitates temperature measurement from a distance without body contact with the individuals. Moreover, the temperature can be read instantly.

According to Dr Bhandari, individuals can be screened without removing protective masks or glasses, ensuring quick and hassle-free fever screenings at the airport queues. “The special thermometer is being used by the airports to identify passengers with swine flu infection symptoms,” he said. The desk has been using the non-contact thermometer as a simple and quick tool to perform screenings for H1N1 fever symptoms. Patients with body temperatures above 98.6 degrees fahrenheit are referred for further check-up. The hi-tech thermometer can screen fever by aiming at the individual’s forehead or tear ducts. Clicking the trigger displays an instant temperature reading in fahrenheit or celsius.

The thermometers were also used to diagnose SARS disease in many countries in 2003. The technology had proved effective for mass screening.