No visible steps have been taken yet in the bordering northern districts against . swine flu although there was a false alarm of detecting the deadly virus in the neighbouring country

District administration officials in Dinajpur, Thakurgaon, Panchagarh. Nilphamari, Joypurhat and Naogaon claimed that two persons have been trained for each district to detect the infected people. They are supposed to discharge duties in the port areas including Hili in Dinajpur. Sonamosjid in Chapainawabganj. Burimari in Lalmonirhat and Banglabandha in Panchagarh.

However, terming it inadequate. some district administration officials said there is no preparation to deal with the flu threat effectively as they neither have sufficient stock of Tamiflu (the only known drug found to be effective against the virus) nor any standardised laboratory for diagnosis of such cases.

So the blood samples of suspected swine flu patients have to be sent to Dhaka for tests which would take at least 24 hours for diagnosis. "Such a long procedure may prove fatal for patients who is already at final stage," said a doctor.

Besides, anti-swine flu drug oseltamivir, the generic version of Tamiflu, is still not sufficiently available in the market, sources

at Dinajpur Civil Surgeon's office said.

Contradicting, DrWahedul Haque, a medical officer said that anti-viral drug SKF Flu is available in the local market to treat the disease.

Contacted, Deputy Commissioner of Dinajpur Abdul Jalil said they held a

meeting on Thursday last to discuss overall situation. The meeting decided to monitor the vulnerable areas closely, procure medicine and launch awareness programme for the people in the border districts.

TWenty-two people have died from swine flu, detected

first in Mexico about a week ago. WHO estimates there are now nearly 900 cases in 20 countries. All but one of the deaths has been in Mexico.

India quarantined at least seven people in the last two days suspecting swine flu infection but later rekust d all of them.