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Swine flu — get prepared

Authorities rely on health control measures and also on thermal imaging technology installed in major airports several years ago to detect suspected SARS and now swine flu affected passengers. But just how effective are those thermal cameras?

There are cameras with different levels of accuracy in the market. The typical old models’ accuracy is ± 2 deg. C which is ok for inspection of a boiler or a switchboard.

Generally you would have a suspected case of flu if a person has temperature of 38 deg. C. Now apply ± 2 deg. accuracy, you get anything between 36 to 40 degrees. In addition to that, most old camera models had no alarm output. Studies show that CCTV operators can comprehend only 5% of information after staring at a CCTV display for just 20 minutes. Combine that fatigue factor with ±2 deg. accuracy and you can get an idea of the effectiveness of a typical “flu” scanning.

Better technology exists now, it was developed after previous SARS scare specifically for health inspections. For example, NEC AVIO (Japan) makes camera systems with ±1 deg. (Japanese conservative) accuracy, external alarm output (for example audible alarm) and in addition to that mixing of thermal image on visual so operator can easily identify a suspected case of swine flu with much greater probability.

Isotherm function for easier fever detection

If a person’s temperature is higher than set temperature on TVS-200IS or TVS-500IS, alarm display appears on the LCD screen. Mixing (Fusion) function is useful to identify that person.

TVS-200IS and TVS-500IS cameras are lightweight: 1.3kg — easy to carry into airplane or vessel for inspections.

Suggested system configuration with alarm function

Use the right tools — keep Australia safe.