The Health Department on Wednesday dispelled fears that H1N1 influenza could derail the prospects of students taking their board examinations.
The department has launched a massive hand-washing campaign following reports of panic reaction in schools, health officials said. Advising against shutting down schools, the officials said students could take the exams even if they are on medication for the flu.
“Board exams are being held across the country and no problems have been reported even in States where more persons have reported with swine flu,” said Health Secretary J. Radhakrishnan. “There is no need to fear as the virus is active only in cold weather. As summer advances, the virus will not be able to survive,” he said.
The King Institute of Preventive Medicine and Research, an authorised centre to test for the viral infection, was sufficiently equipped to release the results the same day.
The institute also placed a seal on the receipt declaring that the test was done free of cost, said M. Gunasekaran, institute director.
“The infection is classified into three categories. Only those classified as category C require testing for the virus. Of the 1,158 deaths recorded in the country, 11 have occurred in the State – two of the deaths occurred because the patients had taken to self-medication and three other people died as they had delayed treatment,” Dr. Radhakrishnan said.
Health Minister S. Vijaya Baskar said surveillance of fever was being done every day and those with flu symptoms and travel history of visiting the affected cities/states were administered Tamiflu. “We are following the protocol provided by the World Health Organisation. We have at present around 50,000 dosages of the vaccine and are administering shots to healthcare workers and those in contact with patients in the hospitals.
While private hospitals buy the vaccine from the market at a cost of Rs. 720 a vial, the government procured it at Rs. 420. Vaccines are administered at no cost to the high risk groups, including the elderly,” the Minister said.
