'State leads way in tackling H1N1'

Testing facilities available at Nimhans, KMC, Manipal hospitals

Revealing the data to the media after a review meeting with Health Department officials, Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa said the intensity of Influenza A (H1N1) had come down. Last year, the virus killed 135  people, whereas 81 people fell prey to it, this year.
Last year blood samples of 1,799 people were found positive for H1N1 Influenza out of samples taken from 8,504 people.

As many as 1,664 people carrying H1N1 virus had undergone treatment in government hospitals.

Until August 2010, of the 5,384 people who underwent tests 1,201 cases were tested positive and 91 succumbed to the disease. When compared with the other states of India, the chief minister said the State had done better in containing and treating the people afflicted with H1N1 virus. Since the outbreak in May, last year, 612 people died in Maharashtra, while 323 dies of the influenza in Gujarat.

The Chief Minister expressed his happiness over the reduction in the number of H1NI cases in the State.

The Chief Minister asked the people not to panic if tested positive for the virus, as the flu can be cured. 

People who show symptoms such as fever, cough, headache, cold and itching sensation in the throat should approach the nearby hospitals, he said. In Karnataka, testing facilities for H1N1 influenza are available at Nimhans, Narayana Hrudayalaya, KMC and Udupi Manipal.

As this disease spreads through air, people should give utmost priority to hygiene and cleanliness, he said. To ward off general fear, the Yeddyurappa said there was enough stock of Tamiflu anti-viral drug and vaccines to cure the disease.

The government has taken several measures to contain the disease including holding awareness drives and training programmes at Anganawadi level.

He added that every week the Chief Secretary would hold review meetings in this regard.
The Chief Minister ruled out free treatment for H1N1 patients in any private hospitals.  
Health Minister B Sriramulu, Medical Education Minister Ramachandra Gowda, medical officers, doctors and experts attended the meeting.