Noklak swine flu concerns premature, awaiting confirmation, officials say

DIMAPUR — Health officials in Noklak district say there is no immediate cause for alarm following reports of H1N1 (swine flu) detection in samples from Dan village. While initial samples, submitted to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) at Pune in Maharashtra for tests by the Assam Rifles, indicated the presence of the virus, further investigations are ongoing.

Allaying concerns, Dr. Victor NC, Noklak Chief Medical Officer (CMO), stated that all individuals who exhibited flu-like symptoms have recovered and resumed their daily activities. No deaths or new cases have been reported.

He said that on August 30, the District Surveillance Committee visited Dan village to ascertain the case. Subsequently, 22 samples from residents, along with water samples, were sent to laboratories in Dimapur and Tuensang on August 31, and the results are pending.

Dr. Victor confirmed that preliminary water quality tests conducted by the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) in Tuensang found no abnormalities. However, the complete chemical analysis report is still awaited.

Although the Department of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry has not observed any swine flu symptoms in pigs, they are on guard and prepared for any necessary action, he said.

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Additionally, a meeting was held on Monday, between the District Surveillance Committee and the District Deputy Commissioner to discuss further steps with the Department of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry.

The District Surveillance Committee and the District Deputy Commissioner had a meeting on Monday, Sep. 2, to discuss for follow up action by the Department of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry. Although the Department of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry did not find any swine flu symptoms in pigs, they are on guard for follow-up and necessary action.

Dr. Victor further maintained that until the results from the samples sent on Aug. 31 are received, it is premature to definitively confirm swine flu in humans. Many symptoms observed were similar to those of seasonal flu, he said.