New Delhi: With scattered cases of patients with symptoms of the deadly respiratory disease being reported in the country, the Centre is convening a meeting of states on April 24 to chalk out an action plan to deal with the problem and was even considering declaring SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) a notifiable disease.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Sushma Swaraj told the Lok Sabha that the meeting of the state health secretaries would discuss if there was need for issuing a red alert.

Voicing serious concern over detection of some cases of SARS in the country, Swaraj said government has taken all effective measures to deal with the situation and it will not be found wanting.

Fresh cases of patients with SARS symptoms were reported in new places like in Jaipur and Nasik while a 29-year-old Chinese national, who came here from the worst affected Guangdong province, was admitted to the Infectious Disease Hospital as a precautionary measure after he reported cold-like symptoms.

Doctors in Pune said the condition of the three members of a family who had tested positive for the SARS virus were fast improving. India has so far reported four SARS positive cases including one in Goa.

Officials said as many as 25 persons who had come in contact with the Pune patients have been located and put under home quarantine.

PTI