In a bid to tackle the swine flu epidemic more effectively, the district medical and health officials have set up round-the-clock screening centres, at the major transit points across Kurnool district.
With the region witnessing a considerable increase in population, owing to the holiday season and regional festivals from October 17-20, the officials are being extra cautious to ensure that all the disease-related symptoms are identified and treated at an early stage.
Speaking to The Hindu , District Medical and Health Officer J.V.V.R.K. Prasad said that the district, in the past few days, had witnessed unprecedented crowds and added that the screening centres would enable them to identify the prevalence and take appropriate measures. “We have set up the centres at the transit points – railway and bus stations, in Kurnool, Nandyal and Adoni, besides places of religious importance such as Mantralayam and Srisailam. The swine flu is very much prevalent in the district and we suspect it to be more virulent and fast spreading strain, as evident from the symptoms. However, we are well equipped to deal with the diseases and urge people to avoid crowded areas and seek medical help over persistent flu-like symptoms,” he added.
‘Well equipped’
With respect to the preparedness of the government hospitals, Dr. Prasad said that all facilities across the district have been stocked up with adequate medicines/anti-viral drugs, masks etc., with dedicated isolation wards to treat the patients suspected or affected with swine flu. The officials, reportedly, had a tough time in taking stock of the situation, owing to the massive influx of people from neighbouring States during the festive season, especially the ‘Banni Utsavam’ at Devaragattu of Holagunda mandal.
“The diseases manifests itself from flu-like symptoms — fever, running nose, cold, cough etc. If the symptoms do not come down, even after couple of days, and is further accompanied by shortness of breath, the particular individual should seek medical help and all government hospitals are ready to treat them, carrying out necessary screening and administration of drugs to patients and also to their relatives,” Dr. Prasad said.
Till date, 19 cases, including two to three cases from neighbouring States, have been tested positive for H1N1 virus and among them six deaths have been registered. Besides positive cases, suspected cases are also currently being treated at the isolation ward in Government General Hospital – Kurnool.
Rapid response team
Meanwhile, the management of Government General Hospital– Kurnool conducted a review meet with all Heads of Departments (HoDs) concerned, and have decided to set up a rapid response team (based on the guidelines of World Health Organisation) to deal with the aspects of identification, isolation, treatment and management.
Speaking to The Hindu , Kurnool GGH Superintendent P. Chandrasekar said that they initiated the extension of the isolation ward and also set up a separate OP ward for dealing with swine flu cases.
