Swine Flu: Three more deaths recorded in Gujarat

Three people have died due to swine flu in the past 24 hours in Surat, Banaskantha and Anand districts of Gujarat, taking the total death toll in the state to 45.

At least 35 new cases have been registered in the state while more than 300 cases have been recorded overall, reports say.

Health Secretary B P Sharma had yesterday reviewed preparedness of the states affected with swine flu or H1N1 to manage the situation. He held a video conference meeting with senior health officials of states of Telangana, Kerala, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh, and with officials of government of Delhi.

The situation was reviewed in terms of the adequacy of medicines and personal protective equipment such as masks with the state health departments, along with number of adequately equipped and functioning isolation wards.

The review also included the training provided to the doctors, rapid response teams and para-medical staff at various district and other government hospitals, in addition to the IEC campaigns mounted to create awareness among the masses regarding the preventive steps to be taken.

The states have been advised to ensure all necessary steps are taken to prevent increase in number of casualty by informing the people to approach the public health facilities in time for effective treatment, and to educate them on ways to prevent it.

The Centre is closely monitoring the situation in the states and has assured them all assistance in terms of medicine, testing kits, personal protective equipment etc. Central teams have been sent to Telangana, Rajasthan and Gujarat to assess the situation and help them to manage the cases.