Swine Flu: 'Health Ministry has sent teams to assist state govts', says Nadda

Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda said here today that teams have been sent from the Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry to guide and assist the state governments on Influenza A HINI as per need.

Nadda stated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha here today.

"Health is a state subject. However, the Central Government monitors the Influenza A H1N1 situation and remains in regular touch with the affected State Governments. While declaring the Influenza A H1N1 Pandemic to be over in August, 2010, WHO had conveyed that the Pandemic virus would continue to circulate as seasonal influenza virus for some years to come," said Nadda.

He said for combating outbreak of Influenza A H1N1, the States have been provided guidelines on screening, risk categorization of patients, clinical case management and ventilator management.

"To guide and assist the State Governments, teams from Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry are sent as per need. The Central Government also assists the State Governments by providing logistic support for drug, masks and Personal Protective Equipments," Nadda added.

"The Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme regularly collects data on outbreaks of communicable diseases including Influenza A H1N1 from different parts of the country. This data is monitored and analyzed to facilitate quick response to contain outbreaks. In addition to the guidelines for combating Influenza A H1N1 already provided to the State Governments, the Central Government has also established a network of laboratories equipped to test the virus," he added.

The Minister further said that emergency stock of Oseltamivir drug, N-95 masks and Personal Protective Equipment is also being maintained.

"A Committee under the Director General of Health Services regularly monitors the situation. There is no delay in taking steps to contain and respond to outbreak," Nadda added.