Thermal Cameras Used In Fight Against H1N1

NEW YORK (AP) - Some airports are "hot" on the trail of possible swine flu victims. And to get that way, they are using
thermal imaging cameras as they take a peek at passengers passing through terminals.

The devices work like regular cameras, but instead of recording light reflected by objects, the devices are sensitive to heat. So if a person is running a fever, the cameras will be able to detect that.

How accurate are they in determining a rise in body temperature? Andrew Sarangan of the University of Dayton's electro-optics program says thermal camera can measure temperature down to a fraction of a degree Fahrenheit.

Thermal cameras were put into use during the SARS outbreak in 2002 and 2003. Airports in Singapore and China have been using them continuously since. Manufacturers say there has been an increase in orders recently, with the swine flu scare in full swing.