Ahmedabad based Vishwa Gujarati Samaj (VGS) has issued an advisory to NRI Gujaratis, to avoid visiting Gujarat this winter, if they are suffering from the disease as influx of large Gujarati diaspora to the state this winter can spread the disease very fast. This advise has been given following the death of NRI Pravin Patel, the first victim of the disease in the state who had come from Atlanta(U.S.) to Gujarat for vacation.

“Many Gujaratis living abroad come to the state during Navratri, Diwali and marriage season in winter. Between mid September to February, maximum number of No resident Gujaratis visit the state. They have been advised not to visit Gujarat if they are suffering from swine flu,” VGS President Krishnakant Vakharia said.

“We have released an advisory note to all our members in the US, UK, Canada and African countries by email and newspaper advertisements on the precautions to be taken while visiting Gujarat on the backdrop of world-wide swine flu epidemic,” he said.

“If NRIs come to the state, they are asked to get a thorough check up on arrival,” he added.