Health Dept takes effective steps to check Swine Flu

By Haryananewswire

CHANDIGARH, FEB 8

 Haryana Health Department has taken effective measures to check the spread of H1N1 Swine Flu.Separate Swine flu OPDs have been started in all the Government districts hospitals with line listing of all patients along with mobile numbers.

          While stating this here today, a spokesman of the Health Department said that a total of 94 cases of this malady have so far been reported since January 2013 in the State.A total of 45 patients were still admitted in various hospitals for treatment and 13 such patients had been discharged. He said that all those 12 patients who were on Home Quarantine have recovered. He said that a total of five cases of H1N1 have been reported today. These included four from Hisar and one from Panipat. No death due to Swine Flu has occurred today.

          Out of the total 23 deaths reported so far from January 2013 due to H1N1, a maximum of four each have been reported from districts of Sirsa and Karnal and three each from Panchkula and Kurukshetra. Two deaths have been reported from each of the districts of Ambala, Bhiwani and Jind. One each has been reported from Gurgaon, Hisar and Kaithal.

          He said that samples of the patients were being sent  to National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Delhi, PGIMER, Chandigarh, Dr. Lal Path Lab and Religare Labs in Gurgaon.

          He said that isolation rooms have been made in all the hospitals so as to cohort the patients in a well ventilated isolation ward with beds kept one metre apart for each other. Dedicated physician, ENT specialist, nurses and paramedical staff for the isolation area have been deputed. Large oxygen cylinders, pulse oxymeter and Portable X Ray machine is available in the isolation ward. Nearest Government health institution having ventilator facilities have been tied up. Adequate quantities of PPE, disinfectants and medications (Oseltamivir, antibiotics and other medicines), Separate Linen, BP Apparatus and thermometer are available in isolation rooms.

          He said that all the Civil Surgeons have been directed to treat such patients as per specific guidelines of Government of India. He said that the Director General, Health Services had specifically directed the Civil Surgeons that in case they required anything urgently for management of Swine Flu, that logistics be procured out of user charges so that there should not be any delay in treatment of these cases.

          He said that guidelines have also been issued for Standard Operating Procedure like reinforcing standard infection control precaution that is  all those entering the room are required to use high efficiency masks, gowns, goggles, gloves, cap and shoe cover. The number of visitors to the patient should be restricted. The Civil Surgeons have also been asked to provide antiviral prophylaxis to health care personnel managing the case and they would monitor their own health twice a day. The wastes should be disposed off properly by placing these in sealed impermeable bags labelled as bio-hazard.

          He said that recommended drugs both for prophylaxis and treatment have been made available. Interdepartmental or Intersectoral committee has been constituted under the Chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner concerned for better coordination. It has members from Departments of Education, Women and Child Development, Panchayati Raj, Police and the Municipality.

          He said that in case there is any suspected or positive case, they have to inform the higher levels telephonically without any delay and visit that particular area and conduct the house to house survey.

          During survey if any suspected case found, samples would be taken along with proper line listing. The patient would be given Tami flu tablets and follow up of the patient and their contacts would be done till double the time of incubation. The incubation period of Swine flu is seven days, therefore, it would be followed up for 14 days.