Terror of Swine Flu in Capital: Dr. Walia reviews meeting

New Delhi: Health Minister Dr. A.K. Walia has informed that Delhi Government is closely monitoring the situation with regard to the status of swine flu (H1N1) in the city. He said that it is also closely watching the preparedness of hospitals for treatment, availability of beds in isolation wards and in Intensive Care Units, stock and regular availability of medicines, and management of diagnostic facilities to exercise effective and timely control over the management and treatment of the disease.

Dr. Walia was informed that during January and February this year 154 cases of H1N1 have been reported till date. Four of these patients have died. He expressed hope that with the rise in temperature and lowering of humidity, the number of cases will start coming down.

Following the assessment of the situation at the meeting, the Health Minister found that the identified 17 government and 5 private hospitals for treatment as well as 3 government and 5 private diagnostic laboratories are effectively working round-the-clock to manage the cases. He found that the stock of the medicine is adequate. He advised that doctors and health workers should ensure complete personal protection, particularly in intensive care areas.

During the discussion, Dr. P. Ravindran, Director (EMR), Govt. of India informed that there is no need for vaccination against H1N1 in the present scenario. He said that no prophylactic treatment is required in most of the cases in the existing situation. Only high-risk cases such as people above 65 years of age with multiple diseases need prophylactic treatment. No hospitalization is necessary in Category ‘A’ patients having symptoms such as mild fever with cough, sore throat with or without bodyache, and headache as these are simple cases of influenza. However, such patients need to be closely watched and require regular follow-up in the domestic setting itself.