Spread of swine flu in IOK concerns Mirwaiz

Srinagar, February 25 (KMS): In occupied Kashmir, the All Parties Hurriyet Conference Chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has expressed serious concern over the alarming rise in the cases of Swine Flu across the territory.

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq in a statement in Srinagar deplored that the health department of the territory had not untaken inadequate measures in hospitals and medical centers to cure and control the spread of the disease.

“The people are expressing strong resentment and disappointment over the lackadaisical approach of the authorities in handling the grim situation arising from lack of preventive measures and scarcity of medical supplies including masks, vaccines and medicines,” the Mirwaiz said. “A lot needs to be done in order to contain the deadly disease,” he stated.

He said that it seemed that the authorities had failed to make people aware about the deadly disease and proper treatment was not being provided to the patients.

Be alert to swine flu virus, but no need to panic, says Health Minister

NEW DELHI: Amid concerns over rising swine flu deaths in the country, Health Minister J P Nadda today warned the people to be careful about the virus but said there was no need for panic as medicines and facilities to tackle the disease were in place. 

Responding to members' concerns in Rajya Sabha over the spread of the H1N1 virus which has so far led to the death of over 875 people across the country, the Minister said the government was taking it with all seriousness and would leave no stone unturned to tackle it. 

Nadda said there was no shortage of medicines and swine flu testing facilities were being provided free of cost at specified government hospitals. 

"No stone has been left unturned as far as seriousness is concerned and all efforts have been made. I assure the House and the members that there is no shortage of medicines. There is no need to panic, but we have to be alert," Nadda told the Upper House while replying to a discussion on the issue. 

On vaccination, he said experts have opined that it does not provide 100 per cent protection and questions are being raised on its efficacy too. 

"I want to assure the House that the inputs given by you will be discussed at the review meeting today. Keeping in mind the sentiments of the House, I will take efforts in all possible ability at my command," Nadda said. 

Responding to a question why the government does not go for traditional Indian medicines to tackle the disease, the Health Minister said, "there is no time to go in for experiments." 

He said Cabinet Secretary has taken a meeting of chief secretaries of all states on whether there was any shortage of medicies or facilities and whether all measures were being taken to tackle the disease. 

Nadda said states and hospitals were given directions to set up isolation wards, give training to doctors and give them with personal protection equipment besides equipping them with medicines in December last year when the disease had started breaking out. 

Earlier members from various parties raised queries and sought to know what steps government has taken to check the further spread of the swine flu virus. 

During the debate on the issue, Basaraj Patil (BJP) said strict action needs to be taken to prevent private hospitals and testing labs from charging exorbitant rates. 

Ananda Bhaskar Raplu (Cong) said the governnment has not utilised the Indian medicine system, which he claimed had a treatment for swine flu. 

Stating that 40 per cent of the swine flu cases reported worldwide were in India, Ahmed Patel (Cong) said a survillance and monitoring system needs to be developed to map the epidemic and plan the response. 

The outbreak, he said, should be taken very seriously and a health emergency plan formulated. Also, protective face- masks as well as medicines should be urgently made available to the people on a wide scale. 

No need to vaccinate people against swine flu: Nadda

The government Tuesday said there was no need as of now to vaccinate the general public from swine flu.

"The morbidity and mortality associated with the influenza are matters of great concern for all of us," Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda said in a statement in the Lok Sabha.

He informed the house that while declaring the pandemic to be over in 2010, the WHO had declared that the swine flu virus would circulate as a seasonal virus for some years now.

Nadda said that many of the deaths due to the virus this year are due to co-morbid conditions already present in patients like diabetes, heart conditions and cancer.

"Vaccination is not recommended for general public as of now," he said.

"The health ministry has been closely monitoring the scene. States have been provided guidelines for screening and management of cases," he said.

The minister said that Oseltamivir, the drug which can cure the disease, preventive N-95 masks and other Personal Protection Equipments are being given to state governments.

"We have already supplied 58,000 capsules of Oseltamivir," he added.

"Teams from the union health ministry have been sent to worst affected states like Telangana, Rajasthan and Gujarat," Nadda said.

While maintaining that there was no shortage of drugs, the health minister cautioned that the drugs cannot be used in an irresponsible manner which will create resistance to the medicine.

"5 die due to swine flu in Bengal; no dearth of meds"

Five persons have succumbed to swine flu in West Bengal, while 67 others have been affected so far, state Minister for Health Chandrima Bhattacharya said today.

The minister said there is no shortage of medicines and testing kits at hospitals to tackle the spread of the H1N1 virus.

Replying to a question in the Assembly, she said so far 67 people have been affected in the state and five of them have died.

13 more tested positive for swine flu in Jammu and Kashmir

Thirteen more persons have tested positive of swine flu in Jammu and Kashmir, taking the number of people infected with the disease in the State to 84, with no new death reported so far, health officials said on Thursday.

“Thirteen new patients have tested positive for H1N1 virus and have been admitted to the hospital,” Head of Department (HoD) of Medicine, Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Parvaiz Kaul said.

Dr. Kaul, who is also in-charge of the Influenza Project in the State, told PTI that the new patients have been kept in an intensive care unit of the hospital.

“We have kept the patients in isolation and are monitoring their condition regularly,” he said.

The doctor said the hospital was receiving many patients suspected to be infected with swine flu, and tests were being conducted on them to confirm whether they were positive or negative.

“We are conducting tests on the suspected patients and those infected have been admitted to the hospital and are being treated,” he said.

With these 13 new cases, the total number of people in the Valley who tested positive for the swine flu virus has climbed to 84.

However, no new death has occurred due to the H1N1 virus, Dr. Kaul said.

“There have been only two deaths of the patients infected with the virus,” he said.

Woman suffering from swine flu gives birth

A 28-year-old woman who was suffering from swine flu successfully gave birth to a baby recently in a private hospital here.    

The woman was over seven months pregnant when she was referred to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. Pregnant women are at higher risks of contracting severe forms of swine flu and in most cases the infection can be life threatening, according to doctors. It also becomes difficult to revive the patients or to save the babies, they added.

On January 25, the woman was admitted to the hospital with fever, cough and breathlessness. “The woman was suffering from bilateral pneumonia. The oxygen level of the mother was very low and the foetus was also deprived,” said Dr Arup Basu , Chairperson , Department of Chest Medicine, SGRH.

The doctors were in a dilemma as the woman was at an advanced stage of pregnancy and had tested positive for the H1N1 virus. The foetus was also deprived of oxygen.

Even though a premature delivery was the only option, the baby would be at a higher risk if born before 32 weeks, doctors said. 

“The foetus had under-developed lungs. We gave medicines to the woman so that the foetus would absorb it for slightly more developed lungs. This had disadvantages as the mother was at a higher risk of developing complications now. This was covered up by giving special treatment to the mother,” said Dr Basu.

The woman was given medicines which would induce labour pain for delivery. On January 29, she gave delivery to a baby.

Pregnant women should ideally avoid crowded places to avoid falling prey to H1N1 virus. Any viral infection during this stage makes the woman vulnerable to secondary infections. Flu can be  largely prevented for pregnant women and their babies if they take vaccination, said doctors. 

“Pregnant women infected with H1N1 virus can rapidly develop imbalance in blood pressure and pulse rate. This affects lung function. The chances of mortality obviously increases,” said Dr Geeta Mediratta , senior consultant, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology at the hospital.

In this case also, the patient was suffering from respiratory failure before she was resuscitated.

Deaths rise to 624 in India: All you need to know about the deadly Swine flu virus

In February 2015 alone over 300 people have died from swine flue across the country against a pan-India figure  218 swine flu deaths in 2014. "This year, swine flu deaths have more than doubled compared to the previous year taking the toll to 624," says a Times of India report. As many as 38 deaths were reported on Monday itself.

Union Health Minister J P Nadda on Tuesday reviewed the drug shortage for swine flu patients. He held a high-level meeting in which a committee was formed to visit hospitals and look into the drug shortage.

What is Swine Flu?

Swine Flu, also known as H1N1 type A influenza, is a human disease. The name 'Swine Flu' stuck because originally the disease transmitted from pigs to humans. But the current pandemic break trasmits from human to human, according to this article on The Health Site.

Source: Wikimedia

Also known as pig influenza, swine flu, hog flu and pig flu, H1N1 is not commonly known to transfer from pigs to humans and it does not always lead to human flu. In 2009, H1N1, or swine flu was called a pandemic by World Health Organization (WHO) because of its massive spread across the world.

According to Wikipedia, swine flu was first declared as a disease during the 1918 flu pandemic when pigs and humans fell sick at the same time.

What causes Swine Flu?

Swine Flu is a respiratory disease. A virus called swine influenza virus causes the disease. Swine Flu is mainly caused by SIV sub type H1N1, however other subtypes H1N2, H1N3, H3N1, H3N2 and H2N3 can also be reasons for Swine Flu.

The virus transmits from person to person through the same medium as other flu viruses. Swine Flu is very contagious. The disease is spread through saliva and mucus particles.

A simple sneeze may cause thousands of germs to spread through the air. The virus can linger on tables and surface areas like door knobs, waiting to be picked up.

An airborne disease, people who fail to follow proper hygiene, especially in crowded places are at a high risk of contracting the virus. But, according to observations, there are specific groups of people who are at high risk of getting infected. The group at a high risk includes:

• Individuals having any other respiratory condition like pneumonia
• Pregnant women
• People suffering from chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes
• People more than 65 years of age and children younger than 2 years

Why is Swine Flu dangerous?

The virus is constantly evolving and that's what makes the disease particularly dangerous. Because of its constantly evolving nature it is tough to acquire immunity against it. Also it’s very seasonal and keeps on changing depending on a lot of factors.

The number of cases shoot up during the summer and monsoon seasons. The current seasonal return of swine flu cases in Maharashtra has been attributed to fluctuating temperatures.

What are the symptoms of Swine Flu?

1. Cough
2. Fever
3. Sore throat
4. Stuffy or runny nose
5. Body aches
6. Headache
7. Chills
8. Fatigue
9. Vomiting
10. Diarrhea
11. Loss of appetite
12. Aching muscles and joints

The symptoms of Swine Flu is similar to regular flu which makes it tough to detect the disease. People with Swine Flu may be more likely to feel nauseous and throw up than people who have seasonal flu. But a lab test is the only way to know for sure.

How can you prevent or stay safe?

The best way to stay safe and keep the deadly disease at a distance is to get a flu shot or flu vaccine on a yearly basis. The virus is extremely contagious. The virus enters the body through the respiratory tract.

The vaccine may be given through an injection or nasal spray. Currently, injectable H1N1 vaccines available in the market are – Influvac, Agrippal, Vaxigrip, Vaxiflu-S and Fluarix.

The injections cost around Rs 600-700 per dose. The doctors advise people to get a repeat vaccine dose every year.

Although, here are a few do-s and dont-s that will help you stay healthy and safe:

• Cover your face while coughing or sneezing: And make sure people around you in office or home also follow this.
• Maintain a high level of personal hygiene: Always wash your hands before or after eating and particularly after returning from a public place.
• Wear surgical masks: If your city/area is swine-flu endemic, always wear a standard swine flu mask in public places. Ordinary face masks which sell like hot cakes might not give enough protection. If you do wear a face mask, don't reuse it. Face masks should be worn once and then thrown out.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Sleep: Get enough sleep of 8 hours every night to keep your immune system strong and ready to fight infection.
• Drink water: Keep your body hydrated by drinking water of about 8-10 glasses daily. This will help flush toxins out of your body while maintaining good moisture and mucous production in your sinuses.
• Eat immune-boosting foods: Eat whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables and other vitamin-rich foods to keep your body strong and nourished.

God forbid if you get affected, here is what you do to cure it: 

Medication is available to treat flu caused by the H1N1 virus. Vaccines are available at every hospital which includes: Antiviral medications – Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and Zanamivir (Relenza) help relieve symptoms and reduce the risk of serious complications.

One should only take these after a doctor’s prescription as indiscriminate use could lead to resistance to the virus.

The patient will need to hospitalized, isolated and put on a ventilator in severe cases.

Worst hit states: 

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 February 15 alone, Rajasthan reported 12 deaths while there were eight fresh casualties each in Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat, a report in the PTI said.

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, the PTI report added.

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.

Here's why you should not panic:

There is no need to panic over a seasonal disease but people should be cautious. The disease is transmitted from other cities and people during change in season.It is better to start timely treatment as per protocol.

According to a report in The Times of India, doctors say that there is nothing to panic till flu patients were careful of contracting secondary infections.

Arindam Biswas, consultant, department of medicine, RN Tagore International Institute of Cardiac Sciences, was quoted as saying, "High blood sugar or pneumonia makes you vulnerable. Generally, patients above the age of 50 years suffering from chronic ailments and those who have undergone a major surgery remain susceptible. For the rest, swine flu should be treated as normal flu. They have to be quarantined till the fever subsides, but they don't need hospitalization unless there is a respiratory disorder."

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.

Swine flu: 105 cases in 13 UP districts

LUCKNOW: The tally of people infected with swine flu in UP crossed the 100 mark as eight new cases were reported on Sunday.

The total number of positive cases from the state stands at 105. While seven new cases were reported in the state capital on Sunday, the eighth case was reported in Bahraich. Swine flu has so far taken seven lives in UP.

According to state health directorate data, swine flu cases have been reported from 13 districts including tourist destinations Agra and Varanasi. Lucknow, so far, is the worst-affected district with three deaths and 69 H1N1 positive cases. Gautam Buddha Nagar has seen 13 cases followed by Agra where six cases have come to light. Sitapur and Bareilly follow with three cases each. Ghaziabad, Saharanpur and Hapur have seen two cases each while Varanasi, Kanpur Nagar, Allahabad, Hardoi and Bahraich have seen one case each.

Of the deaths reported, three came to light in Lucknow, two in Ghaziabad, one each in Saharanpur and Kanpur Nagar.

Till now, 376 samples have been tested in different labs. Health officials claimed that they had enough stock of anti-viral drug needed to manage swine flu. They continued to assert that there was no need to panic as presence of swine flu was weak in UP as compared to other affected states.

12 more succumb to swine flu in Rajasthan, toll jumps to 165

Twelve more persons succumbed to swine flu in different parts of Rajasthan, taking the toll due to the H1N1 virus in the state to 165 this year. 

An official of Medical and Health Directorate (MHD) today said four persons died of swine flu in Nagaur, two each died in Jaipur, Jodhpur and Barmer, and one each in Sikar and Bikaner, in the last 24 hours. 

While 33 districts in the state have reported cases of swine flu, eight districts of Sawaimadhopur, Dholpur, Sirohi, Jalore, Baran, Jhalawar, Pratpagarh, and Rajsamand have not reported any mortality due to H1N1. 

Out of the 2569 patients testing positive for the virus, 165 have died in the state this year, he said. 

So far, Jaipur has reported 28 deaths due to the H1N1 virus, maximum in the state, followed by Ajmer 24, Jodhpur and Nagaur 17 each, Barmer 15, Kota 9, Chittorgarh 7, Banswara 6, and one to five deaths elsewhere in the state since January.

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.

39 fresh cases of swine flu in Telangana

Hyderabad, Feb 12 (PTI) Thirty nine fresh cases of swine flu have been reported in Telangana which recorded 42 deaths since January one this year, a bulletin issued by the state government said here today.

"In the current year, from January 1 till February 11, 2,885 samples have been tested out of which 946 have been found to be positive. The number of deaths because of swine flu and related complications are 42," the bulletin said.

2 Die of Swine Flu in Kolkata

KOLKATA:  Swine flu has claimed two lives in Kolkata, a health official said on Thursday.

The two deaths, both women, were reported late Wednesday, according to a Swasthya Bhavan source.

"There are five additional suspect cases but they are yet to be confirmed," the source told IANS.

Since Monday, ten people have tested positive for swine flu in Kolkata.

The tests are being run at the National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases (NICED) facility in Beleghata.

The official also said the central medical store has been instructed to stock Oseltemavir tablets and masks.

Hospitals and medical colleges have been asked to remain extremely watchful and also be ready with facilities for treating H1N1 cases.

The union health ministry on Friday reviewed the swine flu situation in various states, including Madhya Pradesh, Haryana and Gujarat. More than 200 people have lost their lives to swine flu this year.

Swine flu: Swiss woman dies in Jodhpur; 10 more deaths recorded in Gujarat, 8 in Rajasthan

Eight more persons succumbed to swine flu in Rajasthan, raising the toll of the disease- related deaths to 117, an official of the Medical and Health Directorate (MHD) said.

• 

A 70-year-old woman from Switzerland on Thursday died of swine flu at a hospital in Jodhpur, an official said. Meanwhile, inGujarat ad Rajasthan 10 and 8 more persons died respectively. 

The deceased identified as Animarie succumbed to the flu this morning, Jodhpur Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) Dr Y V Singh Rathore told PTI on phone.

She was referred to MMH in Jodhpur on Wednesday from a private hospital in Jaisalmer where she was found positive for H1N1 virus, he said.

The woman, who was also suffering from lung cancer, died this morning, the CMHO said. The body has been kept in a mortuary.

She had come to Jaisalmer as a tourist and the woman's guide brought her to Jodhpur yesterday.

The Swiss Embassy has been informed, the official said.

In Gujarat, ten more casualties have been reported, taking the total death toll in the state over 100, while over 150 new cases were reported in the state in the past 24 hours. The total number of such cases this year has now climbed over 1,000

Authorities in Gujarat have stepped up measures to combat the spread of the fatal H1N1 virus that causes swine flu. 

Arrangements for separate wards, beds, adequate medical supplies, including Tamiflu medicines, have been made in hospitals.

People are being educated on preventive measures and have been instructed to wear masks, wash their hands frequently, besides sanitising the environment.

In Rajasthan, eight more persons succumbed to swine flu, raising the toll of the disease- related deaths to 117, an official of the Medical and Health Directorate (MHD) said today.

Of the eight deceased, three persons were from Barmer, and one each from Jodhpur, Banswara, Jhunjhunu, Jaisalmer, and Sikar, the official said.

"Out of 1,404 people tested positive for the virus, 117 have died in the state from January 1 so far," the official said.

Of the 33 districts in Rajasthan, 29 are affected with the contagious swine flu.

So far, Jaipur has reported 21 deaths due to the H1N1 virus, maximum in the state, followed by Ajmer 19, Barmer 11, Nagaur 9, Jodhpur 8, Chittorgarh 7, Banswara 6, Kota 5, Bikaner and Tonk 4 each, Sikar and Bhilwara 3 each, Dausa, Jhunjhunu, Pali, Bundi, and Udaipur two each.

Bharatpur, Churu, Jaisalmer, Srigangangar, Hanumangarh, Dungarpur and Alwar have recorded one death each.

The swine flu toll in Maharashtra has crossed 100.

As many as 216 people have lost their lives to due the flu across the country in the first ten days of February as the death toll mounted to 407 this year. 

Swine flu is caused by the H1N1 virus. H1N1 symptoms are similar to those produced by other influenza viruses - fever, cough, sore throat, body aches and respiratory problems.

Symptoms for swine flu include high fever, headache, muscle pain, diarrhoea, vomiting, stomach pain and internal and external bleeding. It is transmitted to people primarily from ticks and livestock animals with an incubation period of up to nine days. Human-to-human transmission takes up to two weeks.

First symptoms of Swine Flu: High fever, sneezing, cough and body pain

Hyderabad, Feb 10: Telangana continues to reel under the menace of swine flu with 49 fresh cases being reported, a bulletin issued here today said. ‘In the current year, from January 1 till February 9, 2,677 samples have been tested, out of which, 880 were found to be positive and the number of deaths because of other complications and swine flu are 42. On February 9th, 135 samples were tested. Out of that 49 are found positive,’ the bulletin said.

There is a decline in intensity in the number of positive cases reported in the last six days (up to February 9). ‘The figures are 32, 20, 30, 30, 33 and 49,’ it said. However, the citizens are advised to take precautions and report to a hospital on appearance of the first symptoms of the disease like high fever, sneezing, cough and body pain, it said. 

Sufficient stock of medicines is available at all teaching hospitals, district hospitals and area hospitals, the bulletin said, adding, there are enough testing kits and kits for Viral Transport Medium (VTM). Homoeopathy doctors have advised that homeo medicine can also be taken as a preventive measure. Medicines are available free of cost at Government Homeo Hospital, Ramanthapur in the city and all AYUSH dispensaries.

Swine Flu death toll crosses 100 in Rajasthan, 40 in Maharashtra, 70 in Gujarat

Gandhinagar: Gujarat seems to be among the worst affected states when it comes to swine flu. The state has recorded more than 70 deaths in the last forty days alone and there is no sign of the disease is losing its intensity either in Gujarat or anywhere else.

To be true the disease is spreading to new areas and on daily basis we are coming to know hospitals reporting swine virus patients in new locations. Merely two days ago we received the news that H1N1 virus has spread to even Kolkata.

But till now governments have failed to act decisively. Now there seems to be some efforts to try to contain the virus and its spread. Union Health Minister J P Nadda chaired a high level meeting to review preparedness of Gujarat for H1N1 and to discuss various health issues, at Gandhinagar.

Many top officials from the state including Nitinbhai Patel, Health Minister of Gujarat; Shankarbhai Chaudhari, MoS, Health, Gujarat and senior officers of the Gujarat Government including Shri Anil Mukim, Principal Secretary (Health) and J P Gupta, Commissioner (Health) were present at the meeting yesterday.

The Union health minister is reported to have reviewed the work being carried out for creating awareness regarding the preventive measures against H1N1. He expressed satisfaction that MPs, MLAs, local public representatives along with school teachers, anganwadi workers and ASHAs are supporting the awareness drive carried out in the 14 districts affected with H1N1.

Two states seem to have suffered the most from swine virus, Gujarat and Rajasthan. It was stated that the awareness drive has been further intensified with special screening OPDs for those suffering from influenza like illness (ILI) at places such as mass gatherings, house to house survey and contact tracing by trained health workers in four districts of Kutch, Ahmedabad, Surat and Vadodara which share 3/4 of the burden of total cases in the state. More than 17 lakh persons have been covered under the drive. The Health Minister was informed that teams of health officials are visiting hospitals to verify facilities and adherence to treatment protocols and universal precautions for infection control.

To be true, serious efforts seemed to be completely absent. The Health Minister also reviewed the preparedness in terms of number of testing kits, personal protective equipment, labs, anti-virals and isolation wards. The state officers presented that Gujarat has state of the art diagnostic facilities. They are conducting tests free of charge for those suspected of H1N1, seeking treatment either from the government or private health facilities. At present, five diagnostic labs can test samples; total of 1707 samples have been tested this year, it was informed. In addition to the cases from the state, it was stated that as many as 90 patients from neighbouring states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Silvassa exhibiting symptoms of H1N1 have been tested and treated. To cater to the need more than 471 beds for treatment of indoor patients have been kept reserved in various secondary and tertiary health care centers in state. Nadda assured all necessary assistance from the Centre to manage H1N1.

In the meantime latest reports suggest that the swine flu toll in Maharashtra and Rajasthan has reached 100 and 40 respectively. According to reports, six deaths have been recorded in Mumbai due to the H1N1 virus outbreak while five more casualties were reported in Rajasthan on Tuesday. A total of 205 swine flu cases have been recorded in Maharashtra, according to the state authorities, while 49 fresh cases were reported in Delhi with the total number of cases due to the disease going up to 488 this year.

Swine flu: exclusive ward opened at Salem hospital

The Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College Hospital here is ready with a special ward to treat patients infected with swine flu (H1N1). The exclusive ward started functioning from Saturday.

“No H1N1 case has been reported in the hospital so far. A 12-member medical and paramedical team has been kept on high alert to meet any eventuality,” said N. Mohan, Dean of the Hospital, on Sunday.

The special ward has multi-parameter, pulse oxylater, ventilators, oxygen inhalers, and other diagnostic kits to treat the patients.

Seven incubators are also kept ready to treat the affected infants, he told.

A team of specialists, including three chiefs and six assistant professors, has been formed.

The doctors will have a round-the-clock watch on the patients.

Specialised training has been imparted to paramedical staff to deal with H1N1 patients, Dr. Mohan said.

Tamiflu is the important tablet needed for the patients affected by H1N1.

The special ward has a stock of more than 2,000 tablets.

Dr. Mohan said that the Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Hospital has plans to create awareness among the common people about the disease.

Special programmes will be conducted at public places from Monday, he added.

On Saturday, the specialists inspected the special ward.

Swine flu: first case reported in Himachal

The first swine flu case of this season was reported in Himachal Pradesh after the sample of a Kangra patient tested positive for H1N1 virus.

The sample was sent to Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) here by Dr Rajendra Prasad Medical College, Tanda.

The victim is a 59-year-old woman, a resident of Alampur in Kangra district. Her name was not revealed.

IGMC senior medical superintendent Ramesh Chand confirmed that a sample sent by the Tanda college had tested positive for swine flu.

One more case of swine flu

LUCKNOW: Lucknow: Another swine flu case has cropped up in the city taking the toll of positive cases to 31. The young boy, five years old, has tested positive, as confirmed by chief medical officer SNS Yadav. A resident of Moti Jheel colony in Lucknow, the child's father is already undergoing treatment for swine flu at King George's Medical University (KGMU). 

The two patients have been sent into isolation at their residence in Aishbagh. The boy's father tested positive for the H1N1 virus on February 2. 

The CMO and health officials have asked people not to panic but take precautions against being infected by the virus. Medical superintendents have assured that all hospitals are prepared for the worst, with adequate stocks of Tamiflu, medical kits and isolation wards. 

As of now, two people have been reported to die due to the flu. A retired Army officer and the wife of a retired jawan had died of the H1N1 virus on January 9 and 13 respectively, at Command Hospital. 

Three more diagnosed with swine flu, count reaches 30

Three more persons tested positive for H1N1 influenza on Thursday, taking the total number of cases in the state capital to 30. The patients who tested positive are residents of Gomti Nagar, South City and Aliganj.

Starting from Manasnagar, the swine flu has infected people in Para, Vikas Nagar, Alambagh, Gomti Nagar, PGI campus and Jail Road. Out of the total 30 cases, seven have been reported from PGI.

The first two patients to be diagnosed with swine flu had died, while 12 have been cured. Six others have shown improvement and the remaining 10 are under treatment at different hospitals and their homes in isolation. Of these, two are on ventilator support.

Experts say that since people from different areas are contracting the H1N1 infection, a mass awareness campaign is necessary to ensure they can detect the symptoms at an early stage, which is essential to save such patients. A team of medical experts has been visiting the patients to check their condition.

The health department has made arrangements in Balrampur, Civil and Lohia hospitals for those who have symptoms of swine flu. People can get themselves checked and avail medicine from these hospitals.