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S.ravi
Advanced Member
India
4205 Posts |
 Posted - 08/18/2009 : 20:27:31
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[Call to rlys for curb on H1N1 in dists
;Pranesh Sarkar
KOLKATA, 18 AUG: With the Swine Flu crisis deepening in the districts, a worried state health department has turned to Indian Railways to nip it at the bud ~ ensure no H1N1 victim enters the state without treatment.
Senior health officials said they have contacted the Railways after it was detected that a large number of labourers from Malda, Birbhum, Murshidabad, Howrah and Nadia, who had migrated to Mumbai and Pune over the past few years were returning to their villages as the H1N1 virus had wreaked havoc in the two cities.
"If people suffering from Swine Flu starts coming back to the remote areas of the state, the disease could spread rapidly there since healthcare infrastructure is not up to the mark. The ignorance of villagers in these remote areas would only add to the spread of the disease," said a health official.
"We have spoken to the Indian Railways seeking their assistance. Trains coming from these cities need to be checked as soon as they enter the state. If any suspected case is found on a train, the patient should be moved to the isolation ward of a nearby hospital until the disease is identified and proper medication is administered," the official added.
However, it is not that easy. Dr Tapas Sen, the state's nodal officer for Swine Flu, said: "We are aware of the problem and have taken up the issue with the Railways. It is not possible to check all passengers travelling by train like air passengers, but need to find a way. The Railways have their own medical team and can conduct a checking when a train stops at the first station on entering the state. Nothing, however, has been finalised yet,” he added.
Senior officials said the state health department was desperate to stop the spread of the virus to districts as they realise that the H1N1 virus, which had been declared as pandemic, could get critical in the remote areas where proper healthcare facilities are hardly available.
Meanwhile, the medical fraternity in the city has sought a “specific guideline” distinguishing between Swine Flu and common influenza, from the state health department.
Doctors attending a seminar on Swine Flu organised by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) in collaboration with the Calcutta Medical Research Institute (CMRI) demanded that the health department issue the “specific guideline” to help distinguish between a common influenza patient and a suspected Swine Flu victim, through a medical organisation.
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S.ravi
Advanced Member
India
4205 Posts |
Posted - 08/19/2009 : 19:15:49
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Private hospitals see goldmine in A(H1N1) screening
Nasal/throat swab test in Bangalore can cost up to Rs. 2,500
Fee is over five times the actual cost of procedure
Swabs collected by hospitals sent to NIMHANS for tests
Bangalore: At least 80 private hospitals have pitched in to screen and treat potential A(H1N1) patients to ease the pressure on government hospitals in a city gripped by panic over the outbreak of the flu. But this “service to society” comes at a hefty price, several times higher than the actual cost of screening. Prepare to be given a bill anywhere between Rs. 1,500 and Rs. 2,500 to have a nasal/throat swab done depending on which private hospital you choose.
This fee, according to Shashidhar Buggi, Director of the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Diseases (RGICD), is over five times the actual cost of a rather elementary procedure.
Significant discrepancy
While there is a significant discrepancy in fees charged by each of the 80 authorised private hospitals, a prominent hospital on Vittal Mallya Road tops the list with its Rs. 2,500-price tag to collect a swab (and only for patients admitted there), while two others — one on Bannerghatta Road and the other near ITPL — charge Rs. 1,500 each. However, hospitals such as Baptist Hospital charge a modest Rs. 350, including consultation.
“The screening kit [containing swabs and viral transport media], the personal protective equipment for hospital workers and the consultation fee should together add up to not more than Rs. 500,” said Dr. Buggi. The RGICD, which screens free of cost, continued to be overburdened with hundreds coming in for a check-up for the flu every day, he added.
Swabs collected by hospitals across the city are sent to the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences
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S.ravi
Advanced Member
India
4205 Posts |
Posted - 08/19/2009 : 19:28:48
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Update on H1N1 as on 19 August 2009
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20:0 IST
As on 6th August 2009 World Health Organization has reported 1, 77,457 laboratory confirmed cases of influenza A/H1N1 and 1462 deaths.
Health screening of passengers coming from affected countries is continuing in 22 International airports. 37,082 passengers have been screened on 18.8.2009 of which 30,599 passengers were from affected countries. 225 doctors and 172 paramedics are manning 83 counters at these airports. A cumulative total of 49,28,685 passengers have been screened.
Two Hundred and Sixteen laboratory confirmed cases have been reported today: Mumbai (48), Pune (36), Nashik (3), Aurangabad (3), Rajkot (3), Latur (3), Naned (2), Nagpur (13), Dhule (5), Chennai (30), Coimbatore (9), Delhi (25), Bangalore (17), Mangalore (1), Gurgaon (3), Surat (2), Buldan (1), Ratnagiri (2), Beed (2), Ahmednagar (1), Kholapur (1), Satara (1), Diburgarh (1), Jamnagar (1),Vadodara (1), Ahmedabad (1), Daman (1).
Delhi reported 25 cases today, out of which three (3) cases have foreign travel history. The first case out of these three is (i) a 20 year old male, who has travelled from London to Delhi. (ii) The second case is a 10 year old boy who has a travel history to China. (iii) The third case is a 23 year old female who has travelled to Spain and France.
All the other cases reported during the day are indigenous cases with no foreign travel history.
The cumulative deaths reported till now are 28: Pune (13), Bangalore (5).Mumbai (3), Nasik (3), Ahmedabad (1), Chennai (1), Vadodara (1) and Trivandrum (1).
11,724 persons have been tested so far out of which 2242 are positive for Influenza A H1N1 [Swine]. 784 out of the 11,724 persons have been identified through entry screening, 1663 through contact tracing and the rest were self reported. Of the 2242 positive cases, 758 have been discharged.
A central team is stationed in Maharashtra to assist the State Government in instituting appropriate public health measures.
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S.ravi
Advanced Member
India
4205 Posts |
Posted - 08/19/2009 : 20:24:53
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Swine flu Q and A
By Tom Smiley, Canwest News ServiceAugust 18, 2009
Swine flu (short for swine influenza) is so called because it is a respiratory disease that normally only infects pigs. It is usually caused by a particular influenza virus known as swine influenza A (H1N1).
How is swine flu spread?
Humans who have been in contact with pigs, such as farmers, people visiting fairs, or others coming into close proximity of pigs, can on rare occasion be infected with the swine flu virus. Health agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization have determined that swine influenza A (H1N1) has somehow been changed so that it now can be passed from human to human.
The virus is spread through the air, by direct contact with a pig or human who is infected with the virus, or by indirect contact (e.g., by touching a surface that has been touched by someone with the virus). Some viruses can live for 2 hours or longer on surfaces such as tables and desks. Swine flu is not spread by eating properly cooked pork, heated through 71°C (160°F). People who are infected with swine flu may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 7 or more days after becoming sick.
What are the symptoms of swine flu?
The symptoms of swine flu are similar to those of regular human flu. They include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, and extreme fatigue. Some people may experience diarrhea and vomiting. Although most people have recovered on their own, some people with severe illness have gone on to develop pneumonia or respiratory failure, and a small number have died as a result of the infection.
Who is most likely to get swine flu?
The body can become immune to the effects of a virus if it is exposed to the virus and makes antibodies against it. Most of the population is at risk for getting swine flu because it is contagious and the majority have no natural immunity because they have not been exposed to the virus in the past.
How can I prevent infection with swine flu? Is there a vaccine?
There is currently no vaccine available to prevent infection with swine flu. The best way to prevent any type of flu virus infection is to wash your hands often with soap and water for 15 to 20 seconds, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based sanitizers are also effective. If using alcohol gel, rub your hands until the gel is dry.
Try to avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth, because that is how germs are spread. Avoid close contact with people who have flu symptoms. If you cough or sneeze, cover your nose and mouth with a tissue and throw the tissue in the trash after you have used it.
What should I do if I get flu symptoms? Are there medications available for treatment?
If you live in an area where swine flu cases have been identified or you have recently visited such an area, you should contact your health care provider if you develop symptoms of the flu. Let your doctor know that you were recently in such an area. Call your doctor’s office before coming in so they can prepare for your visit. Your doctor may test you for influenza and/or may provide treatment. Medications called antivirals can be used to treat swine flu. Oseltamivir and zanamivir are two antivirals that have been shown to be effective for the treatment and prevention of infection with swine flu viruses.
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S.ravi
Advanced Member
India
4205 Posts |
Posted - 08/20/2009 : 11:30:32
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Update on Influenza A (H1N1) as on 20th August 2009
19:46 IST
As on 13th August 2009 World Health Organization has reported 1, 82,166 laboratory confirmed cases of influenza A/H1N1 and 1799 deaths.
Health screening of passengers coming from affected countries is continuing in 22 International airports. 37,443 passengers have been screened on 19.8.2009. 225 doctors and 172 paramedics are manning 83 counters at these airports. A cumulative total of 49,29,046 passengers have been screened.
One Hundred and Fifty Nine laboratory confirmed cases have been reported today: Mumbai (18), Pune (66), Nashik (3), Aurangabad (6), Dhule (4), Osmanabad (2), Washim (1), Solapur (1), Beed (1), Parbhani (1), Chennai (12), Chengalpattu (1), Delhi (11), Bangalore (13), Davangere (3), Hubli (2), Gadag (1), Vishakhapatnam (3), Idukki (1), Trivandrum (1), Ernakulam (1), Udaipur (3), Noida (1), Bareilly (1), Rohtak (1), Raipur (1).
Delhi reported 11 cases today, out of which One (1) case has foreign travel history. The case is a 25 year old female, who has travelled from Bangkok to Delhi. One (1) case reported from Pune (40/F) has travelled from U.K. One (1) case reported from Vishakhapatnam (45/M) has also travel history from UK transiting Dubai. All the other cases reported during the day are indigenous cases with no foreign travel history.
The cumulative deaths reported till now are 36: Pune (15), Bangalore (9).Mumbai (3), Nasik (3), Delhi (2), Ahmedabad (1), Chennai (1), Vadodara (1) and Trivandrum (1).
12,604 persons have been tested so far out of which 2401 are positive for Influenza A H1N1 [Swine]. 797 out of the 12,604 persons have been identified through entry screening, 1740 through contact tracing and the rest were self reported.
A central team is stationed in Maharashtra to assist the State Government in instituting appropriate public health measures.
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S.ravi
Advanced Member
India
4205 Posts |
Posted - 08/20/2009 : 11:32:04
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Two swine flu deaths in Delhi
IANS 20 August 2009, 01:26pm IST
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NEW DELHI: The national capital has recorded its first swine flu deaths with a 31-year-old man and a 38-year-old woman succumbing to the H1N1
Swine flu in India
influenza virus, hospital authorities said on Thursday.
Samrat Pandya, 31, a resident of Gurgaon, died on Thursday morning following two cardiac arrests, four days after he was rushed to the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital (RML) in New Delhi. ( Watch Video )
He had been kept on a ventilator and his heart and lungs stopped working, said N.K. Chaturvedi, the hospital's medical superintendent.
The other death was of Renu Gupta, who died Wednesday night also following two cardiac arrests.
With the two Delhi deaths, the national death toll has risen further.
Gupta, a resident of Model Town, had returned from Singapore on Aug 15 and had developed flu symptoms.
"She went to private doctors who asked her to visit a designated government facility. She visited the RML hospital on Aug 20 in a critical condition. She was gasping and was immediately admitted and put on ventilator," Chaturvedi told reporters.
Chaturvedi said her sample was sent to the NCDC (National Centre for Disease Control), previously known as the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) and she "tested highly positive for H1N1".
Pandya, he said, had no travel history or contact with any H1N1 infected patient.
"He came to the hospital Aug 16 with swine flu like symptoms and was quarantined. He was having mild fever, cold, cough, breathlessness and sore throat four-five days before he came to the hospital."
"We conducted an ECG and found that Samrat has myocarditis. The virus affected his two key body parts -- heart and lungs -- and both the organs stopped working. He suffered two cardiac arrests on Wednesday evening and his condition deteriorated Thursday morning leading to death," he said.
Myocarditis is an inflammation of heart muscles and happens when the virus affects a person's heart.
Samrat's father, R.S. Pandya, blamed the hospital authorities for his son's death, but Chaturvedi refuted the charges, saying that "he feels sorry for them".
"My son died because of negligence by doctors at RML and they did not cooperate. Till this morning, we had no clue that Samrat had swine flu," Pandya told reporters outside the hospital.
Giving details, Pandya said his son was first taken to Sanjeevan Hospital in Gurgaon, adjoining Delhi. Doctors at the hospital gave him paracetamol.
When the medicine didn't improve his condition, the family took him to the Max Hospital in Gurgaon. Here the doctors advised them to take him to a designated government hospital where swine flu treatment was being given.
"People need to be cautious and if they have flu like symptoms, they should immediately visit a designated government health facility. There is no need to panic about it," Chaturvedi said.
He added that Samrat's father had thanked the hospital authorities for taking care of him.
At the moment, he disclosed, five patients were undergoing treatment for H1N1 at RML. All were stable.
"Earlier, we were sending 130-140 samples per day for swine flu tests. But it has come down to 15 samples. The screening of people having flu-like symptoms has also gone down," he added.
On Wednesday, the country reported 216 new cases of Influenza A (H1N1), taking the total number of infected people to 2,243.
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S.ravi
Advanced Member
India
4205 Posts |
Posted - 08/22/2009 : 02:01:50
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Shri Azad chairs a meeting of State Health Ministers on NRHM and H1N1
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21:15 IST
A meeting of the Health Ministers of States was held today. 19 State Health Ministers, 1 Lt. Governor, all Principal Secretary [Health] participated in the day long deliberations. The meeting discussed the preparedness in States for tackling public health emergencies like the A [H1n1] flu. The meeting also discussed the performance of National Rural Health Mission. The following points were agreed.
· Though National Rural Health Mission has made substantial progress, it needs to be stepped up further so that the Millennium Development Goals can be achieved.
· Special attention need to be given to difficult and inaccessible areas so that quality health care can be provided to people living there. Special financial and career incentives can be provided.
· Each state need to work-out a strategy to increase availability of specialised Doctors, Nurses, ANMs. Existing Medical College, Nursing training facilities can be strengthened and upgraded besides creating new facilities where necessary.
· The NRHM resources can be utilised to strengthen the facilities at district and sub district facilities. This can be including screening facilities, isolation wards, training or manpower to collect samples.
· There was useful exchange of views in the conference on the situation arising out of the Influenza A [H1N1] pandemic. Hon’ble Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Government of India exhorted the States to take pro-active measures to build capacity for containment and mitigation of the disease before it reached its peak in different parts of the country. He emphasised that isolation capacity in hospitals need to be created not only at State Head Quarters but also up to District level. He assured the States and UTs of all support and guidance from the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. It was emphasised that Health was essentially a State subject, State Governments need to invest more resources for creating a sustainable capacity to cope with infectious diseases including Influenza pandemic. Training of district Rapid Response Teams [comprising of doctors drawn from different streams] were stressed upon and States were advised that they could use NRHM funds for training and IEC.
· The State Health Ministers/Secretaries outlined the progress made by them in scaling up of capacity up to Sub-district Level: the steps taken to involve the private hospitals for creation of isolation wards/beds and measures taken to educate and sensitize the general public, doctors and other para-medical staff, both within the Government and Private set up. Involving the provisions of the Epidemic Act, 1897 was also discussed in detail.
· Suggestions were made about intensifying IEC locally through Cable TV Net works and through NGOs. Many States also suggested that Personal Protection Equipment and other life support equipments for States should also be prepared by the Government of India with States providing the funds. HFM offered that if States wanted, procurement of PPE could be done for them by the Government of India.
· Majority of the States requested for increasing laboratory testing capacity. Quite a few States have prepared plans for setting up such labs in their own institutions. Some North Eastern States wanted that their samples should be sent to Kolkatta instead of Dibrugarh. It was agreed that samples from Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh would be sent to Dibrugarh while Sikkim and Mizoram would send their samples to Kolkatta.
· For allowing private labs to test samples, it was clarified that no formal permission was required from the Government of India. Tamil Nadu had already identified 9 labs and test reports of 4 private labs in Delhi were under validation. As on date 22 Government labs and 23 private labs had been identified for testing samples. It was also assured that testing reagents would be sent in adequate quantities to Central designated labs.
· States expecting tourist influx in the winter season made suggestions for better screening of passengers including use of thermal scanners. HFM announced that all international airports in the country would be provided with thermal scanners in a phased manner. Delivery of first 20 scanners were expected in three weeks time.
· Most States pointed out that life support equipment like ventilators should be supplied by the Central Government. It was pointed out that States need to procure such equipment on their own. States like Gujarat and Assam were already procuring ventilators from State resources. However, for hilly and North Eastern States , Government of India could consider a special dispensation.
· States were informed that Government of India was procuring additional 2 Crore capsules and 4.00 lakh bottles of Oseltamivir. Most States confirmed that they had received adequate supplies of Oseltamivir [medicines for H1N1] from the Government of India. The issue of retail sale of Oseltamivir also came up for discussion. States expressed concern that unregulated use of Oseltamivir could generate drug resistance in the community. The consensus was for regulated distribution of the drug. States were however advised to identify private hospitals and nursing homes that would provide treatment to H1N1 positive patients so that regulated distribution of Oseltamivir could be done through them if the need arise.
· Considerable interest was evinced regarding use of AYUSH drugs for improving immunity against the virus. It was recommended that Central Government should ensure that no unverified drugs with quick-fix claims should be allowed into the market.
· The status pertaining to the development of an Influenza A [H1N1] vaccine was also shared with the States.
· It was agreed that NRHM resources for infrastructure would be utilised at a faster pace to ensure improvement of public health facilities in partnership with States.
· The State Health Mission under Chairmanship of Chief Minister can hold regular meetings to review NRHM as well as strategy to tackle H1N1 virus.
· All States/UTs assured that the States would ensure that necessary measures for managing the out-reach of H1N1 would be taken. HFM thanked the States for their support and urged that this public health crisis should be converted into an opportunity to create sustainable capacity for managing infectious and respiratory diseases in the Primary and Secondary Health Care Systems.
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S.ravi
Advanced Member
India
4205 Posts |
Posted - 08/22/2009 : 02:02:55
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Update on influenza A (H1N1) as on 21st August 2009
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20:9 IST
As on 13th August 2009 World Health Organization has reported 1, 82,166 laboratory confirmed cases of influenza A/H1N1 and 1799 deaths. No further update is available.
Health screening of passengers coming from affected countries is continuing in 22 International airports. 38058 passengers have been screened on 20.8.2009. 225 doctors and 172 paramedics are manning 83 counters at these airports. A cumulative total of 50,09,520 passengers have been screened.
138 laboratory confirmed cases have been reported today: Mumbai (6), Pune (62), Ahmed Nagar(1), Nanded (2), Akola (1), Jalna (1), Kolhapur(1), Nasik (3), Nagpur (2), Chennai (10), Delhi (12), Bangalore (19), Bijapur (1), Kolkata (3), Silchar(1), Ernakulam (7), Kota (1), Srinagar (2), Jammu(1), Agra (1), Raipur (1).
Among the cases reported today, only 3 patients have travel history.
The cumulative laboratory confirmed deaths reported by the States is 48: Maharashtra (27), Karnataka (11), Gujarat (5), Tamil Nadu(2), Delhi (2), Kerala (1).
13,364 persons have been tested so far out of which 2539 are positive for Influenza A H1N1 [Swine]. 819 out of the 13,364 persons have been identified through entry screening, 1826 through contact tracing and the rest were self reported.
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S.ravi
Advanced Member
India
4205 Posts |
Posted - 08/22/2009 : 02:55:40
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The guidelines call for prompt treatment for children – including those under five years of age – with severe or worsening illnesses, as well as those at risk of more severe or complicated illness.
Issuing a new set of guidelines for the use of drugs against swine flu, the World Health Organization has said patients with uncomplicated illnesses do not need to take antiviral drugs.
Worldwide, most infected patients continue to display typical influenza symptoms and fully recover within a week without any form of medical treatment, the WHO said.
According to the new guidelines, formed by consensus by a global group of experts, patients with uncomplicated illnesses do not need to be treated with antiviral medicines.
The guidelines emphasise on using drugs such as oseltamivir and zanamivir, to which the pandemic virus is susceptible, to prevent severe illness and deaths, reduce the need for hospitalisation, and shorten hospital stays.
When properly prescribed, oseltamivir is found to significantly curb the risk of pneumonia, a leading cause of death for both the pandemic and seasonal influenza, it said.
WHO recommends treatment with the drug as soon as possible among people who are severely hit or whose conditions begin to deteriorate. Where oseltamivir is not available, zanamivir can be given. The virus is currently resistant to a second class of antiviral, known as M2 inhibitors.
As pregnant women are among the groups considered to be at increased risk, WHO recommends that they receive antiviral treatment as soon as possible after the onset of symptoms.
The guidelines call for prompt treatment for children – including those under five years of age – with severe or worsening illnesses, as well as those at risk of more severe or complicated illness.
Otherwise healthy children over five years, WHO said, do not need antiviral treatment unless their conditions persist or worsen.
If someone with confirmed or suspected H1N1 infections shows symptoms including shortness of breath, chest pain and high fever lasting beyond three days, they should seek immediate medical attention.
Among children, warning signs include fast or difficult breathing, lack of alertness, difficulty in waking up and little or no desire to play.
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S.ravi
Advanced Member
India
4205 Posts |
Posted - 08/22/2009 : 02:58:32
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HEALTHY people who catch swine flu should not be given Tamiflu, the World Health Organisation has advised.
The international body has said only at-risk groups, including pregnant women, should be given the antiviral drug.
The advice plunged the Westminster Government’s policy on Tamiflu into confusion yesterday, but appeared to vindicate Wales’ decision not to follow England’s lead on the issue.
The announcement came as officials yesterday confirmed that a 55-year-old mother, from Caerphilly borough, had become Wales’ first swine flu-related death. She is the 60th person to die after contracting swine flu in the UK.
The woman, who has not been named, died on Saturday in intensive care at the University Hospital of Wales, in Cardiff, almost two weeks after she fell ill with the virus.
Health Minister Edwina Hart offered her condolences to the woman’s family as health experts took steps to reassure the public that swine flu remains a mild illness for most people.
“This is the first swine flu-related death in Wales and I would like to send my condolences to the family and friends of the woman at this difficult time,” she said.
“Tragic though this is for the family and friends, we are not seeing an increase in rates of cases, compared to normal seasonal flu where we see a number of serious cases and deaths each year.”
And Dr Tony Jewell, Wales’ chief medical officer, said: “I understand that the first death of someone with swine flu in Wales will naturally worry people and cause concern, however I would assure people that for the vast majority of healthy people, the infection remains mild and people recover within five to seven days with rest, plenty of fluids and symptomatic treatments.”
But experts admitted Wales should expect further swine flu-related deaths as winter approaches.
Dr Brendan Mason, a consultant epidemiologist at the National Public Health Service for Wales (NPHS), said: “As we move into winter the number of cases will increase and we will see people having severe outcomes needing intensive care and dying from it.
“It is a risk that is there all the time and we well unfortunately see it again. This was a very serious milestone and a personal tragedy for the lady and her family but, unfortunately, not unexpected.”
Wales did not sign up to the English pandemic flu service, criticised for handing out Tamiflu indiscriminately – more than 135,000 doses have been given out in the past fortnight.
Dr Mason said: “It has been for GPs to make their own clinical judgement – what’s being provided in Wales is a personal service, which is a good thing.”
The World Health Organisation (WHO) advice, published yesterday said patients were experiencing typical flu symptoms and would get better within a week. It said Tamiflu (also called oseltamivir) and the antiviral Relenza (also called zanamivir) should not be given to healthy people. But the drugs should be given quickly to those patients in a serious condition or who appear to be deteriorating.
At-risk groups – such as people with an underlying medical condition like diabetes – and pregnant women should also receive them promptly.
A WHO statement said the new guidelines “represent the consensus reached by an international panel of experts who reviewed all available studies on the safety and effectiveness of these drugs.”
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S.ravi
Advanced Member
India
4205 Posts |
Posted - 08/22/2009 : 08:09:53
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Free treatment for A(H1N1) in private hospitals
The Karnataka Government on Saturday directed all private hospitals and nursing homes to provide free medical treatment to A(H1N1) influenza patients in the State. At a high-level meeting on A(H1N1) influenza, Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa said treatment to patients who test positive for A(H1N1) influenza would be given free of cost and the gGovernment would reimburse the cost to respective private hospitals later.
Mr. Yeddyurappa said the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, would purchase equipment at a cost of Rs. 40 lakh to conduct tests on throat and blood swab of suspected swine flu cases. The equipment, according to the Chief Minister, would facilitate testing of 300 samples a day.
Mr. Yeddyurappa said he would also request Prabhakar Kore, MP, to set up a laboratory at KLE Society Hospital in Belgaum for testing. Already, seven hospitals, including Narayana Hrudayala, have decided to set up labs for conducting tests.
The Chief Minister suggested to officials concerned to release relevant, influenza-related advertisements in the electronic media and on All India Radio to create awareness on A(H1N1) influenza.
Mr. Yeddyurappa said that Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad had appreciated the steps initiated by the State Government to contain the spread of swine flu. He said that the three teams from the Centre that had visited Bangalore had appreciated the preventive steps taken by the government to contain spread of A(H1N1). Besides, the Centre had agreed to supply to the State N95 masks and Tamiflu tablets, he added.
Minister for Health and Family Welfare B. Sriramulu said the police would book criminal cases against dealers who sold masks at a higher cost. Doctors and nurses would be posted at the Bengaluru International Airport to screen passengers coming from abroad for A(H1N1).
The Minister also said the public in need of help related to A(H1N1) can call the toll free helpline: 1056.
NIMHANS Director D. Nagaraja said the influenza was spreading in Bangalore, Mangalore and border areas of Maharashtra. He urged the Government to provide at least two ventilators for each district hospital to facilitate proper treatment for patients and stressed the need to impart training to health personnel to deal with suspected cases of swine flu.
Dr. Nagaraja said NIMHANS had tested samples of 963 persons and 218 patients had tested positive for A(H1N1) influenza. Only 100 tests a day were being conducted now and once the new equipment was installed, 300 tests would be conducted, he added.
An official of the Rajiv Gandhi Institute for Chest Diseases said 5,770 suspected cases had been screened. Of them, 154 patients had tested positive and they were treated for A(H1N1) influenza and they had recovered.
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S.ravi
Advanced Member
India
4205 Posts |
Posted - 08/22/2009 : 08:13:46
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Three more persons, including one in worst-hit Pune, succumbed to swine flu on Saturday, pushing the country-wide fatalities from the HINI pandemic to 51.
A death each occurred in Pune, Tamil Nadu and Goa with four more testing positive for the virus in Assam even as close to 2,600 patients were undergoing treatment across the country.
With a 60-year-old man succumbing to the disease in Pune in Maharashtra, the city recorded its 20th swine flu death.
All educational institutions in Pune, which reported its first fatality on August three, had been shut for the past one week to prevent the spread of the infection.
The flu claimed its third victim in Tamil Nadu when a 45-year-old man died at the government hospital in Chennai.
The man, whose throat swabs tested positive on August 19, was admitted to the hospital on August 12 with complaints of breathlessness and bleeding piles.
A 67-year-old man, suspected to be suffering from the swine flu, died at a private hospital in Goa, health officials in State capital Panaji said. Shiva Murthy, who arrived from Bangalore on Friday, was admitted to the hospital with high fever, they said adding he breathed his last this morning. His throat swabs had been sent for HINI testing to Delhi and the reports were awaited, the officials said.
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S.ravi
Advanced Member
India
4205 Posts |
Posted - 08/23/2009 : 00:24:17
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Swine flu gives jitters to cabin crew
Shobha John, TNN 23 August 2009, 03:01am IST
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NEW DELHI: Take the two major airports in India: Delhi and Mumbai. Daily passenger movements are a mind-boggling 60,000 and 65,000 respectively,
while daily flight movements average 610 and 650. Each domestic flight carries 6-8 cabin crew members, while an international flight carries 10-25. Multiply these numbers with flights, and you will realize the sheer numbers of cabin crew vulnerable in the time of swine flu. They are the most susceptible category, in fact, as they are with passengers for a prolonged period of time.
Yet, while on the ground one sees a surreal atmosphere with people in masks, immigration personnel suitably covered up, hand sanitizers at various points and thermal cameras, in the air, the cabin crew seem unprotected. With WHO warning of an explosion in cases, they are a worried lot. After all, a woman pilot in Noida and a CISF personnel at Delhi airport were recently detected with swine flu.
Says a Spicejet airhostess, "Recently, on a Delhi-Pune flight, almost every passenger was wearing a mask. I felt vulnerable suddenly. Why can't we have masks on sectors which are highly prone to swine flu, she asks. If we can have mandatory vaccinations for Hepatitis A and B and typhoid, why not mandatory measures here too?"
That feeling was echoed by an AI airhostess. "Recently, on an international flight, I tended to a passenger with cold and cough. Subsequently, I was down with flu for over a week. Now, I am tense after any international flight."
Though airlines say advisories have been given about swine flu, cockpit crew of at least two airlines say they haven't received any such intimation. Most airlines have kept masks in planes, but few passengers are aware of it. Obviously, information hasn't been disseminated properly?
AI, for example, has kept 14-15 masks and gloves on international flights, which are to be given to passengers with flu symptoms, says Jitender Bhargava, AI spokesman. "Cabin crew were advised about swine flu in April itself and are told to isolate such passengers. Masks are now available on domestic flights to flu-prone cities like Pune."
But cabin crew would like these masks to be made mandatory on all flights, quite like paracetamol tablets. In Hong Kong, says one airhostess, masks are available at airline counters. "Though two pairs of cloth gloves have been provided in every AI international flight, these are meant for serving food. Could we have rubber gloves while handling passengers?" She remembers the 1994 Surat plague when all cabin crew wore masks. Yes, it looks strange in a service industry, but this is the first line of defence.
Another suggestion is to screen passengers at the time of check-in, instead of disembarkation, as is being done now. By the time a sick passenger lands after a flight, he would have infected many, says a crew member. Also, could thermal scanners be installed in the aerobridge so that passengers are checked while disembarking, before they enter the airport. Singapore Airlines is doing it, say crew, why can't we?
Vaccines? This isn't feasible, says Dr Vikram Sarbhai, pulmonologist at Max Hospital, Saket, as the influenza virus keeps mutating. Frequent hand-washing, keeping hands off the face and betadine gargles are the best solution, he says.
Airlines and airports are trying their best, but could do more. Kingfisher has provided 20 surgical masks on most international and domestic flights, says Prakash Mirpuri, spokesman. He adds that according to WHO, one needn't wear a mask if one isn't sick. It's more important to keep a distance from the patient and have good hand hygiene. SpiceJet says besides updates to employees, posters have been put up.
Mumbai Airport, meanwhile, will soon provide an immune booster (an oral spray) called Receptol to its employees, says Manish Kalghati, spokesman. "We have also distributed 3,500 masks to staff and government agencies here. Two air purifiers have also been installed at the international terminal." At Delhi airport, four thermal scanners have been installed and masks distributed to staff, says Arun Arora, spokesman. However, though health counters have been set up at the international terminal, officers barely glance at disembarking passengers. In the end, it's up to each individual to make a difference here.
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S.ravi
Advanced Member
India
4205 Posts |
Posted - 08/23/2009 : 00:47:09
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In its latest swine flu update, the World Health Organisation says the total number of deaths in the world has gone up to 1,799 (as of August 13), an increase of 337 since its last weekly information. Ghana, Zambia and Tuvalu have reported their first confirmed A (H1N1) cases, says the report.
In India, the toll has touched 50 in less than three weeks since the first death.
About the panic caused by the outbreak, a doctor at Mumbai’s Rajawadi Hospital says it is understandable. “The genetic combination of the virus is not known. Hence it takes time to come up with drugs to combat the virus; the vaccine takes even longer. Meanwhile, the disease, being contagious, spreads rapidly and creates panic.”
The panic thus is a result of the novelty, contagiousness and sudden outbreak of the disease, and not of its actual mortality. Sample this: 1,799 people who have died of swine flu worldwide constitute only 0.98 per cent of the total number of the infected (1,82,166).
The doctor says other diseases do not catch media attention in the absence of the novelty factor. Also, there are drugs and procedures already in place to deal with them. And, with a few exceptions, they are not contagious. However, their mortality rates are higher. In short, they are silent killers.
According to statistics available with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s Joint Executive Health Officer Girish Ambe, 23,200 people died of heart diseases in 2007 in Mumbai alone (civic, government and private hospitals). The number has seen a steady rise over the years; in 2004, it was 20,922.
The second leading cause of death in 2007 was tuberculosis (9,850), followed by cancer (6,112), pneumonia (4,102) and bronchitis (2,687). Diabetes caused more deaths (1,842) in Mumbai alone than swine flu has so far worldwide.
Further, according to an estimate of the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention in the U.S., between 2,50,000 and 5,00,000 people die of regular flu every year worldwide. According to a Reuters report, malaria kills an African child every 30 seconds. While the WHO estimates that one-third of the world’s population would be infected by swine flu in the coming years, 40 per cent of the global population is said to be “at risk” for malaria.
While the guard against swine flu should not be lowered despite the low mortality, it is also essential to see the threat in proper perspective, say doctors.
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S.ravi
Advanced Member
India
4205 Posts |
Posted - 08/23/2009 : 00:48:10
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Seven more people, including a two-month-old baby, succumbed to the deadly swine flu since Friday evening, pushing the country-wide fatalities to 63 even as the Karnataka government announced free treatment for HINI patients in private hospitals.
Four deaths occurred in Maharashtra and one each in Goa, Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan as several more, including 44 in the national capital and 42 in Karnataka, tested positive for the dreaded disease.
With a 60-year-old man perishing in Pune in Maharashtra, the city, where all educational institutions had been shut for the past one week, recorded its 20th swine flu death.
A two-month-old baby and a 12-year-old girl, who tested positive for the virus, succumbed in Mumbai on Friday night even as the Municipal Corporation said the swine flu was not the only cause of their death.
"Swine flu may not be the sole cause of their death as both were suffering from various complications," BMC Health Officer J Thanekar said.
A 37-year-old woman, afflicted with disease, also died last night in the metropolis.
The flu claimed its third victim in Tamil Nadu when a 45-year-old man died at the government hospital in Chennai.
The man, whose throat swabs tested positive on August 19, was admitted to the hospital on August 12 with complaints of breathlessness and bleeding piles.
A 67-year-old man, suspected to be suffering from the swine flu, died at a private hospital in Goa, health officials in state capital Panaji said.
Shiva Murthy, who arrived from Bangalore on Friday, was admitted to the hospital with high fever, they said adding he breathed his last this morning.
His throat swabs had been sent for HINI testing to Delhi and the reports were awaited, the officials said.
In Rajasthan, a 26-year-old woman, admitted to the Sawai Man Singh hospital in Jaipur with symptoms of swine flu, died late Friday night.
The report of the HINI tests on the woman were awaited, Dr Narpat Singh, SMS Hospital Superintendent, said.
Forty-two more were infected in Karnataka where the State government intensified efforts to contain the HINI pandemic, announcing free treatment for the afflicted in all private hospitals.
Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi denied media reports about the death of an 18-year-old girl due the virus in the state where four had tested positive for HINI.
"Reports about the swine flu death in the state are not based based on facts. There has been no such death," Mr. Gogoi told reporters in Guwahati.
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'Swine flu more dangerous than bird flu'
