Health authorities here have swung into action after 17 cases of swine flu have been reported so far. At least two big hospitals – Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGI) and the King George’s Medical University (KGMU) – have been readied with isolation wards for patients affected by H1N1 virus.
Lucknow has so far seen two deaths, while other affected patients are recovering. Health officials fear that swine flu patients could grow in coming days so other government hospitals have also been asked to prepare isolation wards and equip them with ventilator facilities.
Lucknow-based hospitals will also have to take care of serious swine patients of neighbouring districts, authorities said.
The chief medical officer has asked all major hospitals and microbiology labs of KGMU and SGPGI to conduct tests of H1N1 only after recording address and mobile numbers of patients so that spread of the virus could be checked. Health officials have been monitoring localities from where swine flu cases have been reported so far.
