Udupi, Aug 11 (DHNS): As the number of suspected cases of H1N1 is on rise, Kasturba Hospital, Manipal in association with the district administration has geared up to handle the situation with its qualified health care professionals in the field of medicine.  
 
The Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India has notified the virology laboratory of Manipal University as an influenza A H1N1 testing centre, said Dr Raghuraman, Medical Superintendent of Kasturba Hospital.

He said samples collected at other centres are being sent to the laboratory. Testing is being done and all information regarding the tests whether positive or negative is being passed on to the district health office as per the protocol.

With a large students community in Manipal including foreigners, a special clinic for screening students, faculty and staff has been set up and appropriate steps has been initiated to screen all the suspects.

The clinic set up for the students has been set up on the first floor of Annapurna Mess next to 9th block of MIT campus, he said.

A 20-bedded isolation ward has been created in Athreya ward in KMC for admitting and quarantining the confirmed cases. Two beds are reserved for  critically ill.

Special counter to detect the cases is being opened adjacent to OPD section in KMC. The public should not be panic and it is similar to any other pneumonia and can be cured with apt treatment,” said Manipal University Pro Chancellor Dr H S Ballal.

DHO M R Naik informed that a team of doctors from medicine, community medicine and paediatrics departments have been formed to screen the suspected cases. Ambulances are also available to transport students to the hospital, he informed.

In-charge DC Prasanna Kumar said isolation wards will be set up at taluk centres in Kundapur and Karkala and one at district Hospital. No cases are reported in rural areas.

KMC Dean Sripathy Rao and others were present.