The union government issued fresh guidelines to contain the spread of the swine flu in the country.

The guidelines were finalized at a high-level meeting chaired by the Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad.

During the meeting that lasted for more than five hours, Azad also discussed various guidelines and protocols developed by the World Health Organisation in Geneva, Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Atlanta, USA and National Health Service, United Kingdom.

It is learnt that the meeting was attended by eminent experts from public and private hospitals/organizations besides senior officers of Health Ministry and Directorate General of Health Services.

As per the latest issued guidelines, school principals are being asked to make it obligatory for all teachers to go from seat to seat to recognize students with influenza-like signs and if detected will be asked to see a medical doctor and stay at home for a week. The schools are also being told to deject large congregations of pupils.

The Union Health Ministry has stepped up attempts to encourage people that the condition has been under control.

These guidelines will be appraised and improved from time to time as per need and on the basis of spread of the disease.