An eight-month-old male child has tested positive for H1N1 influenza in Tiruchi.
He is the grandson of Nagakanni of Vasan Nagar, who died here a few days ago after being admitted to Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Government Hospital with suspected symptoms of H1N1. After the swab test of the child, who was treated at a private hospital in the city, came positive for H1NI virus, health officials visited his parents and urged them to admit the child to the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Government Hospital. However, the parents reportedly refused.
A health official told The Hindu that the child’s condition was being closely monitored. He had been put on Tamiflu tablets and was responding to the treatment.
All those who had been in contact with the child recently, including his neighbours, had been given Tamiflu tablets as a precaution.
Meanwhile, the State government has stocked up on 10 lakh Tamiflu tablets, according to Health Department officials. A senior official told The Hindu that the tablets have been stocked in all district headquarter hospitals, medical college hospitals and other hospitals across the State.
“The situation is under control. We are fully prepared to tackle H1N1 cases if any,” he said.
Officials have been directed to give top priority to optimum use of human resources to keep communicable diseases under check, the official said.
