Keeping a check on swine flu

Preventive measures include washing hands with soap; covering the mouth and nose with a piece of cloth or tissue paper while coughing or sneezing; keeping a distance of at least one meter from those having symptoms of flu;

With the death of a pregnant woman on Sunday night in the city who was suffering from swine flu, authorities concerned are ready to tackle the situation even if more cases are reported in future. At present the situation was under control and there was no need to panic since only two cases were reported and the first case was treated, said nodal officer for swine flu in the district L.B.S.H. Devi on Tuesday. Surveillance was done and family members of the 23-year-old pregnant woman, along with people who were in contact with them were treated. No suspected case of swine flu was detected in an area in Gajuwaka where the woman lived, she said.

Screening centres are functioning at King George Hospital, Government TB Hospital, Railway Hospital, Visakha Steel Hospital, Port Hospital, INHS Kalyani of the Indian Navy in the city, and NTR Hospital in Anakapalle. A 10-bed ward has been set up in the Chest Hospital to treat swine flu patients exclusively round the clock. The equipment, medicines, etc. are available in sufficient quantity. At a review meeting conducted by Minister for Ports and Infrastructure Ganta Srinivas Rao on Tuesday, officials informed him that more ventilators were needed in case of an outbreak of swine flu. Death of the woman from Gajuwaka, who was in eighth month of pregnancy, was the first in the district after four persons died due to swine flu in2010, and five in 2009.

Symptoms

Motions and vomiting along with running nose, caught, sore throat, sneezing, running eyes, fever, body pains and difficulty in breating.

Preventive measures include washing hands with soap; covering the mouth and nose with a piece of cloth or tissue paper while coughing or sneezing; keeping a distance of at least one meter from those having symptoms of flu; consumption of more quantities of water and food; taking more rest and sleeping more hours; and frequent cleaning of gadgets and equipment like telephones, door handles, doors, windows, etc. that are used commonly in offices.

A person having symptoms of flu must immediately consult a doctor.