At a time when jaundice continues to pose challenge in different parts of the State, the Odisha government on Sunday called for alertness after a man tested positive for the H1N1 virus.
The 65-year-old man from Khurda district was admitted to a private hospital here. His blood samples were sent to the city-based Regional Medical Research Centre (RMRC), an Indian Council for Medical Research institute, which confirmed presence of the H1N1 virus.
This is first swine flu case reported in the State this season.
“Family members of the patient and doctors and other medical staff who attended to him have been given preventive tablets,” said Public Health director Kailas Das.
A high level meeting chaired by Health Secretary Arti Ahuja decided that Chief District Medical Officers would be briefed about swine flu readiness through video-conferencing on Monday while private medical colleges and hospitals would also be cautioned.
“The State government has adequate stock of medicines. We are ready to face any challenges. People should not panic,” said Dr. Das.
He said people, who suffer from regular flu with symptoms like fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, vomiting and fatigue, should be careful and others should also stay away from them.
“The swine flu is no more pandemic. It is like any other regular flu. People are required to stay clean, wash their hands properly and get treated immediately,” advised Dr. Das.
In 2010, swine flu had claimed 32 lives while in the next year number of death due to flu was nil. Swine flu deaths were recorded two and one in 2012 and 2013 respectively. There was no death in 2014.
Meanwhile, jaundice continued to be headache for the government establishments. In a police training school in Jajpur district, more than 100 trainees were reportedly affected by jaundice. Western Odisha town of Sambalpur, where jaundice outbreak was first reported, is showing signs of improvement, but sporadic cases kept coming to hospitals during past one week.
PTI adds:
Regional Medical Research Centre director S. K. Kar said the patient, whose condition is stable, had recently returned after a visit to some places in North India. The patient, admitted to the hospital on January 6 with respiratory problem, is now undergoing treatment in isolation ward after the diagnosis.
Three other samples received from another private hospital in the city were tested negative for swine flu, said Dr. Kar.
People should not panic, says Health director
“Stay clean, wash hands properly”
