Amritsar, Aug 13 - In an effort to check the rapid spread of swine flu, the Punjab government has started screening passengers at the international airport in Amristsar and at Attari railway station and border post with Pakistan, an official said Thursday.

'Screening counters have been established at the Raja Sansi International Airport to check nearly 500-800 passengers who arrive here everyday. Medical officer of the airport has been directed to identify the suspected patients and to immediately refer them to the civil hospital,' said a spokesman of the state government's department of health and family welfare.

'Adequate medical and paramedical staff has also been made available at the Attari border post and Attari railway station. All civil surgeons have been asked to remain vigilant and send their teams to remote areas of the state to check for the symptoms of the flu,' he said.