Alerted by increasing deaths caused by the A(H1N1) virus in neighbouring Telangana, the Department of Health and Family Welfare in Raichur has embarked upon an awareness drive across the district.
Addressing a media conference at his office here on Saturday, District Health and Family Welfare Officer Narayanappa said his department will involve municipal and panchayat bodies at grassroots-level for the campaign.
“No confirmed A(H1N1) cases have been reported in the district so far. Considering the large-scale migration and regular movement of people to and fro Mahaboobnagar district in Telnagana, where over 44 confirmed A(H1N1) deaths have been reported, the flu can at anytime spread here,” he said.
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Distributing leaflets and pamphlets, and erecting hoardings at public places displaying a list of do’s and don’ts; preventive and precautionary measures; symptoms of the flu, and advising the people to immediately consult nearest health centres, would be part of the campaign, he said.
The official said he would alert all medical professionals, both in public and private sectors, with a list of directives to handle the A(H1N1) threat. The department has already ordered required medicines worth Rs. 1 lakh to augment its stock, and has opened a separate ward at the teaching hospital attached to the Raichur Institute of Medial Sciences, he added.
The department will also establish check-points at the border to screen travellers, he said.
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Municipal and panchayat bodies in Raichur district
to be involved