The Delhi Government has put its 22 designated hospitals on alert and asked them to take appropriate measures and follow the standard protocols for treating swine flu patients in the wake of the death of a 51-year-old woman from the infection.
The city reported 32 confirmed cases of H1N1 this year, but authorities maintained that there was no “outbreak” of the infection.
“Even the deceased woman’s diagnosis has not been confirmed, and the samples will be sent to the Central lab for confirmation,” Health Secretary S.C.L. Das said.
“This year, the incidence is mild and the form is non-virulent. In 2013, there were 1,511 H1N1 cases and 16 deaths. All designated hospitals to treat swine flu patients are fully prepared and the Directorate of Health Services has reviewed the stock of Tamiflu capsules [for adults] and syrups [for children] and found them to be enough. Standard protocols are available with all hospitals and daily monitoring is being done,” he said.
According to the WHO guidelines, the H1N1 strain this year is manageable. So far, no guidelines or notifications for H1N1 treatment have been issued. The designated hospitals, five of them private, have isolation wards. The Union Health Ministry has already provided guidelines on screening and categorisation of patients, laboratory diagnosis, infection control, home care and clinical management. Technical support for early case detection is provided by the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme.
Patients who develop flu-like illness (fever with either cough or sore throat) are encouraged to isolate themselves at home for seven days after the onset of illness or at least 24 hours after symptoms have resolved. Patients who have difficulty breathing or shortness of breath or who are believed to be severely ill should seek immediate medical attention.
If the patient must go into the community (for instance, to seek medical care), he or she should wear a mask to reduce the risk of spreading the virus when coughing, sneezing, talking or breathing. While in home isolation, patients and other household members should be given infection control instructions, including frequent hand washing with soap and water.
