H1N1: Govt monitoring situation, terms its spurt 'seasonal'

The Centre today said it was closely monitoring the situation due to surge in cases of H1N1 influenza in some states and termed the present spurt as "seasonal".
Union Health Minister J P Nadda said that he has been in constant touch with the Chief Ministers and Health Ministers of the affected states.
"Reiterating that the present spurt is seasonal, he (Nadda) assured that all necessary assistance and support is being provided to the states to manage the situation," an official statement said.
The Union Health ministry has deputed senior-level public health teams to Telangana and Rajasthan to assess the situation and assist the states in managing the current spurt in cases.

The National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Delhi through Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) and the state units have enhanced the surveillance for influenza like illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI), the statement said.
They were also providing laboratory support in terms of testing, quality assurance, guidance, providing viral transport mediums and diagnostic reagents.

A 24x7 Outbreak Monitoring Cell of NCDC is attending to public queries on H1N1 to keep them informed and to dispel fears and apprehensions, if any, the Ministry said.
While the affected states have adequate stock of the drug 'Oseltamivir', the Health ministry also has sufficient stock of the medicine and personal protective equipments, it said.

The central government has been advising the states, from time to time, to build capacity to manage the seasonal influenza, the statement said.