Pics: Umesh Marpalli

Daijiworld Media Network—Udupi(HB)

Udupi, Feb 13: Surendra Chimbalkar, in-charge, District Health and Family Welfare Department, held a press meet on Friday February 13 at the office in Udupi to create awareness about H1N1 viral disease.

Rohini, health surveyor officer, speaking to media persons, said that in the year 2015 no H1N1 deaths have occurred but nine cases have been recorded in Udupi district of which two are from Kundapur and Udupi localities.

“In the year 2009, the first swine flu case was detected on campus at Manipal and since then a total of 180 cases have been recorded. The data shows that the most cases were recorded in the years 2010, 2013, and 2014. When compared to the previous year, patients are fewer in number. It is a good development,” she added.

The DHO said that two of them are in ICU at KMC Manipal, while three patients are on medication. The following are the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) Guidelines on categorization of Influenza A H1N1 cases:

In order to prevent and contain the outbreak of Influenza-A H1N1 virus for screening, testing, and isolation the following guidelines are to be kept in mind:

The categorization is as follows:
· Patients with high/mild fever plus cough with yellow sputar / sore throat
· Headache
· Lethargy
· Difficulty in breathing
· Diarrhea
· Severe vomiting will be categorized as Category-A.
Patients should confine themselves to home and avoid mixing with the public and high risk members in the family.

Pregnant women, persons aged 65 years or older, patients with lung diseases, heart disease, liver disease, kidney disease, blood disorders, diabetes, neurological disorders, cancer, and HIV/AIDS, patients on long term cortisone therapy, should be taking care of their health.

Rohini said, “The mortality of influenza is seen at 5 percent. Ultimately, people should have awareness about H1N1 and follow respiratory manners in public places. The department has taken 52 blood samples of which 9 samples were positive.

According to KMC Manipal, there are 10 isolated beds for patients, 6 ICU beds, and some other seats are reserved for the H1N1 affected.

Rohini added, “Internal department co-ordination committee has started sensitization training for health workers and awareness programme through door-to-door survey. There is no need to worry, but if the need arises, he should report to hospital first. The required dosages are available and syrup form of drugs will be provided shortly.”