Can India contain swine flu?

The numbers of those affected with swine flu are rising the world over; almost 30,000 people are affected with it. And in India, the number has reached 31.

But can screening at airports alone contain the virus, especially when there is a fear that those meant to detect and prevent the virus from spreading could be the next in line.

In Bangalore, the latest suspected case is a Swedish woman staffer of Air France who, sources say, may have come in close contact with a passenger who had swine flu.

She was quarantined late Monday night. Officials are asking airport staff to take precautions.

"We have already given them (airport/airlines staff) information. We have already asked them to use personal prophylaxis. We have already told them to wear masks," said Dr Usha Vasunkar, Director, Department of Health & Family Welfare, Karnataka.

But experts say the spread of the H1N1 virus seems inevitable. So, rather than trying to contain it the efforts should be focused around treatment.

"The death of a patient doesn't mean that the virus has changed in any way, it doesn't mean that the virus is more serious. In any flu outbreak we will unfortunately see a small number of deaths. That doesn't change the fact that for the vast majority of people contracting this virus the symptoms are relatively mild," said Nicola Sturgeon, Scottish Health Secretary.

But that is not enough to stop people from panicking since the symptoms of a common flu and swine flu are almost the same. So, if in doubt, it's best to call the doctor.