Don't panic over rise in Swine flu cases, appeals dist admn

Total number of confirmed cases goes upto 5 in Mangalore

With one more suspected H1N1 case getting confirmed on Friday, the total number of confirmed H1N1 cases in Mangalore have rised to five.

The DC-in charge conducted a meeting of district-level health officials and representatives from major hospitals of the city on Friday and discussed the measures taken to treat the confirmed cases and the steps taken to prevent the spreading of the disease.

 “There is absolutely no reason to panic. Swine flu is just one more common fever, and the district is well-equipped to tackle the problem. We have sufficient stock of required medicines too,” he told media persons following the meeting.

“Of the 10 suspected cases, 5 have been tested positive, while the other four negative. Report on one more case is being awaited,” he said.

“The patients are being treated in two private hospitals. The hospitals have been asked to admit any suspected case at any point of time and inform the same to the district surveillance officer immediately. The treatment cost and the laboratory charges will be looked after by the government,” Sharma said.

Explaining the measures taken to tackle the menace earlier in the meeting, In-charge DHO Dr Rathnakar Navunda said exclusive wards have been identified for suspected swine flu cases in the major hospitals of the city including the District Government Wenlock Hospital.

“A notice has been issued to all hospitals in this regard. The patients with suspected cases are being isolated. We are also trying to trace the people who were in contact with the patients tested positive of swine flu. The main concentration is on those who had been abroad recently, or to those places within the country where H1N1 cases have been reported,” he said.

District Health Surveillance Officer Dr Rajesh said the hospitals should identify one doctor and one staff nurse to treat the H1N1 cases and entry to such wards should be restricted.

Dr Joshua from Fr Muller Hospital and Dr Jayaram from KMC Hospital pressed that the treating doctors and the staff should be provided with sufficient materials to protect themselves.

Zilla Panchayat CEO P Shivashankar was present.