100 more die of swine flu, govt rushes medicines, diagnostic kits

The death toll from swine flu this year has soared to 585 with 100 more casualties reported across the country in three days since Feb. 12, prompting the Centre to order additional stocks of medicines and diagnostic kits.

While the total number of swine flu deaths had stood at 485 till February 12, the latest official data released today says 100 more people succumbed to the H1N1 virus in the three days till Feb. 15, taking the toll to 585. Altogether, 8,423 people have contracted swine flu this year in the country. Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra are the worst-affected states with their respective tolls standing at 165, 144, 76 and 58, official figures said.

On Feb. 15 alone, Rajasthan reported 12 deaths while there were eight fresh casualties each in Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat.

While Delhi and Tamil Nadu have reported a high incidence of swine flu cases, the death toll in the two states is relatively low due to high level of awareness and a better developed health sector.

Punjab has the highest ratio of the number of deaths to those affected by the disease. Thus, 25 of the 68 people who contracted the virus in the state this year have succumbed to swine flu.

Health ministry officials said they have sent central teams to the worst-affected states like Rajasthan and Gujarat and have developed appropriate guidelines.

"The government has already placed an order for enhancing stocks of diagnostic kits - for testing for the H1N1 virus - to be supplied to the lab network under Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme.

"To enhance the level of preparedness, additional stocks of the drug, Oseltamivir, and 10,000 N-95 masks are also being procured," an official statement said.

HC to MP govt: Take immediate steps for setting swine flu testing lab

INDORE: Concern over spread of H1N1 virus which is causing increasing number of deaths, since January 2015 around 40 people has died in Indore; Indore bench of Madhya Pradesh High Court on Friday directed state government to take immediate steps for setting up testing laboratory for swine flu in Indore.

Double of bench of Justices PK Jaiswal and Alok Verma passed interim order on a PIL filed by Ajay Mishra challenging inaction of the state government in maintaining public health and lackadaisical approach towards dealing with swine flu despite innumerable deaths in the city.

Court order observed that at present the approved laboratories for testing and confirming swine flu are at DRDO Laboratory in Gwalior and ICMR Jabalpur. These places are situated far away from Indore. Due to delay in setting of H1N1 testing lab, the state government is dependent on Indian Council of Medical Research facility to perform swine flu tests. Collection, transportation and testing of samples take long time and an immediate requirement is to open a laboratory at Indore.

HC passed 11 point guideline for dealing with swine flu in which court directs state to ensure adequate supply of medicine for swine flu at private and government hospitals, provide large number of ventilators in all government hospitals to meet with the number of patients affected by H1N1 virus, provide sufficient N9J mask to all hospitals, increase number of beds and facility for treatment of swine flu patients and provide free treatment and medicine, set up a coordination committee between private and government hospitals, carry out fumigation and spray insecticides in various parts of the city, carry out de-silting and cleaning of nullahs and hold meeting with principals of schools, colleges and representative of different organisation to spread awareness about the diseases.

Counsellor for petition Ajay Bagadiya said public safety is in danger and require an immediate action with regard to precaution, care, medication and treatment for the said virus.

Court in its order observed that as per government report the situation is very alarming. The drugs are not readily available at private medical shop nor has the government identified number of private medical shops to provide drug under the supervision and control of the government. No effective steps have been taken to make available the drugs at number of private places or private hospital.