DOHA: The Ministry of Health has advised the public to postpone non-essential trips to the US, Mexico, Canada, UK and other countries that have reported confirmed cases of swine flu.

The Ministry has also advised people returning from these countries to watch out for fever and flu like symptoms for at least 10 days after return. Anyone who develops such symptoms must inform the Communicable Disease Control (CDC) section at the Ministry through the hotlines 6740-948 or 6740-951.

The Ministry has asked all private clinics and hospitals in the country to report any suspected cases of swine flu to the CDC through these hotlines.

The Ministry’s “health alert” includes tips on the signs and symptoms and ways to prevent the spread of swine flu.

The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and includes fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. In some cases, people have reported diarrhoea and vomiting associated with swine flu.

Spread of swine flu can occur through contact with infected animals or environments contaminated with the swine flu virus. It can also spread through contact with a person with swine flu in the same way as seasonal flu spreads.