Odisha asks health officials to prepare for H1N1 influenza

The Odisha government has asked its Chief District Medical Officers (CDMOs) to remain prepared to deal with the H1N1 influenza in the state, said an official on Sunday.

"In view of the coming transmission season and behaviour of Influenza A H1N1 in recent past, the health administration needs to remain prepared in terms of infrastructure, logistics and trained personnel," said Health Secretary Arti Ahuja in a letter to the CDMOs.

During the year 2015, it was observed that a large number of death cases were reported across the country due to seasonal influenza which was more than the number recorded during the time of pandemic, said Ahuja.

A total of 75 cases with 13 deaths were reported in Odisha in 2015 while in the year 2016, only one case has been reported so far, she added.

In another letter, the Health Secretary asked the CDMOs to take steps to eliminate vector-borne disease dengue.

"The state experienced an explosive outbreak of dengue during monsoon period, particularly in industrial and urban areas of the state. Though it is a fact that the incidence has declined considerably, sporadic cases are still being reported from rural areas of different districts," Ahuja said.

--IANS

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