PTI
NEW DELHI, MARCH 1
Gujarat has crossed Rajasthan in terms of the number of deaths with 265 casualties. The government has asserted that it was “very serious” about combating the disease and has asked the people to not panic but remain alert.
Swine flu has claimed 34 more lives as the nationwide toll from the H1N1 virus so far touched 1,075 with the number of cases of the disease inching towards the 20,000 mark this year.
Data collated by the Health Ministry said that altogether, 1,075 persons have now perished from the disease in 2015 while the number of those affected by swine flu stands at 19,972 as on February 28.
The ministry had on Saturday said that the toll as on February 27 was 1,041 while the number of persons affected by swine flu in various states was 19,046.
The data on Sunday showed that Gujarat has crossed Rajasthan in terms of the number of deaths with 265 casualties while 4,368 people are affected by the disease in the state.
Rajasthan has seen 261 persons falling prey to the H1N1 virus with 5,528 cases reported.
In Madhya Pradesh, swine flu has claimed 153 lives while 1,010 people were affected by the virus. The toll in Maharashtra touched 143 with 1,735 cases having so far come to light.
In Telangana and Punjab, the disease has claimed 57 and 42 lives, respectively while in Delhi, 10 persons have died due to swine flu. The number of affected persons in the national capital has risen to 2,891.
The disease has claimed the lives of 46 persons in Karnataka with Haryana (21 deaths), Andhra Pradesh (12 deaths), Himanchal Pradesh (eight deaths), Jammu and Kashmir and Kerala (both seven deaths) also grappling with swine flu.
Health Minister JP Nadda had earlier said that the 21 laboratories capable at present of testing swine flu were “not enough” and the government was planning to set up H1N1 testing facilities in every state with financial provisions being made for it.
The government has repeatedly asserted that it was “very serious” about combating the disease and has asked the people to not panic but remain alert.
Nagaland health department exerting maximum effort to thwart Swine flu
EMN
DIMAPUR, MARCH 1
The health department of Nagaland is closely monitoring the Swine flu in the state so that there is no spreading. So far four cases have been confirmed in the state.
In a statement today, State health minister P Longon advised the people not to travel to the areas where the flu is spreading. He also advised the people to rush to the nearest health centre to get treated if symptoms similar to Swine flu develop in a person.
In the statement P Longon said that until recently the state of Nagaland is not aware of a disease called H1N1 called Swine influenza. “But at this juncture, this international disease is now being reported in our state thereby causing panic and anxiety to the general public and a challenge to the medical fraternity.”
So far, only four confirmed cases (all imported from outbreak areas) are being reported in the state and all were treated without any casualty. “This might cause fear psychosis among the public. There are some reports that the Swine influenza is not as deadly and is not as easily transmitted from person to person as originally predicted by U.S. public health officials. The state is keeping vigil on it and every effort is being made in order to stop any new case with the support of our state machineries and with the available resources. We will give our best to tackle the situation,” P Longon said.
According to the minister, Swine influenza is truly an international disease which is a national public health emergency. It occurs in all countries and affects millions of people every year. Its behavior is so unpredictable, its outbreak occurs without any warning and within a short span of time; the spread is so fast that a large number of people are affected resulting to deaths and hospitalization of many. The threat of a virus is more easily transmitted between humans’ remains, he added.
P Longon then said that given the speed and volume of international air travel today, the virus could spread more rapidly, possibly reaching many continents in a very short time period. In spite of many measures taken by the countries/governments, its spread cannot stop since infection knows no boundary or limit. To stay away from H1N1 infection, at an individual level, good hygiene practices is vita; at the community level, cleanliness is essential and at state level, alertness is the weapon. Taking all this steps into account, I am sure that if not totally, to certain extent; it will help people to prevent themselves from being infected, he added.
The cause of any outbreak of infection lies in no man’s hand but responsibility should be shouldered by the welfare state. “As a state, we should be able to tackle and contain the outbreak. I appeal to all individuals, the concerned department and state as a whole to collectively fight against H1N1 and overcome it instead of posing with fear and anxiety or propagating wrong information but to remain calm and well informed about H1N1,” he appealed.
The minister further appeal to all responsible citizens to restrain from travelling to outbreak areas and anyone contracted the infection should immediately contact the nearest health centers for treatment in an arranged isolation place till he or she is fully recovered or declared free.
The minister said that every effort should be made to prevent entry of H1N1 from other states. In order to implement this, I request the state government, public health officials, allied departments and press media including the public to coordinate and take all necessary actions and prevent the spread of H1N1 within the state and spread of the disease through state borders as well. State health department is directed to remain alert, mobilize the recourses, and give proper information to the citizens through various press media and communication, and tackle any eventuality including arrangement of isolation facilities in all the district hospitals, the minister added.
The statement of the minister then said in regards to the availability of medicines, there is no dearth of medicines. Anyone who had contracted the infection should not stay away but contact their nearest health centers and avail early treatment. All necessary investigation facilities of H1N1 and medicines are available, he added.
