The mysterious form of pneumonia that hit parts of Asia last week has prompted the Indian government to prepare an action plan to counter the same. Fearing that the same could be spreading, the Indian government is going ahead with its plan although no such cases have been reported in the country, according to sources in the Union Health Ministry.

The government was working on control measures, including how airlines might take precautions to help prevent the spread of the new and virulent form of pneumonia.

The new and virulent form of pneumonia is spreading in at least nine countries in South-East Asia. Outbreaks of a typical pneumonia have already been reported in southern China, Hong Kong and Singapore, although experts are unsure whether only one disease strain is to blame. No direct link has been established among the cases, but health experts are closely examining the various outbreaks.

Indian officials have asked people to be aware of the main symptoms and signs of this pneumonia, which include high fever, one or more respiratory symptoms like cough, shortness of breath and difficulty in breathing.

According to Director General of Health Services S P Aggarwal, there was no cause for alarm and no case has been reported in the country so far. The health machinery was fully geared to meet any eventuality and all laboratories were in a full state of preparedness, he said.

Dr A Abdullah, convener WHO (South-East Asia) said India did not face any specific threat from the disease and it was not as vulnerable to the outbreak as any other country. He indicated that airports and airlines would have to play a crucial role in help preventing the spread of this mysterious form of pneumonia.

On Wednesday last, the WHO issued an alert on a new strain of pneumonia. On Saturday, it issued an advisory urging travelers to be vigilant.

WHO officials have said what was very important is the infection control system which needs to be put in place. There is need to understand more about this disease and how patients are reacting to different treatments, they said.