In a bid to check the spread of deadly influenza A (H1N1) virus, also called swine flu, the health authorities across the country has tightened security at airports.

Officials working at the Lohegaon airport (Pune) had set up special counters to screen all passengers. Moreover, the officials are working closely with the health department to detect suspected cases of swine flu.

Giving this information, J P Mathur, Officiating Director - Pune airport, said, "We have been screening all incoming international passengers as per the directives issued by the Union ministry of health and family welfare."

He also said that the airline companies have been requested to inform passengers about the preventive measures being implemented at Lohegaon airport.

It can be recalled that the health ministry had a high-level meeting to discuss the preparedness in the wake of the influenza that has started spreading to other countries.

A statement released by the Health Ministry reads, "The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has been directed to set up facilities for screening of international passengers and crew arriving from affected countries. These screening stations are to be manned by medical and para-medical personnel provided by the ministry of health."

More than 3,200 air passengers were inspected till Tuesday evening in Mumbai itself.

Over 1,000 confirmed cases of swine flu have been reported from Asia, Europe, South America and the US. More than twenty-nine people in Mexico and one person in the US have died of the deadly flu so far. As far as India is concerned, only one suspected case, in Hyderabad, has been reported so far.