Though there have been reports of H1N1 epidemic - commonly called 'swine flu' - cases being on the decline, even at its 'epicenter' Mexico, the scare that the flu has caused globally is still to subside!

There have been cancellations of trips galore due to the persisting fear. Even the low-key India trip of the well-known talk show host Oprah Winfrey stands cancelled at the eleventh hour. Winfrey was supposed visit the Hindu God Hanuman's birthplace near Hampi, before flying to Goa on May 5, where she would have met Bollywood actress Mallika Sherawat.

The reason for the cancellation of Winfrey's trip, as per the femalefirst. co. uk reports, is that she has been 'advised' to stay at home.

Among other celebrities to have cancelled their travel plans due to the swine flu scare are the couple Heidi Klum and Seal, who have scrapped their annual their trip to Mexico for the time being.

Meanwhile, the screening of overseas passengers is still continuing in full swing in India. On Thursday, a total of 35,403 passengers - including 6,009 from affected countries
- were screened at airports across the country.

At least 24 suspected cases of the H1N1 infection thus far have been sent for laboratory tests; with the recent samples being of two passengers arriving at Bangalore international airport, whose results are expected by Friday.