Maintain separate wards for swine flu: U'khand CM

Concerned by the rise in number of swine flu cases, Uttarkhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat today directed officials to ensure necessary precautions are taken against H1N1 influenza.
Rawat also asked all District Magistrates (DM) in the state to ensure that hospitals in every district have a separate ward for swine flu.
In case of swine flu in any district, the patients should be treated on priority, he directed.
"Adequate medicines should be made available in all hospitals. In case there is shortage of any particular medicine at a hospital, the DM must give immediate information to Principal Secretary Medical and Health so that the problem could be addressed," an official release quoting the Chief Minister said.

Rawat also sought reports from all DMs on the arrangements made in their areas to combat swine flu.
Udham Singh Nagar DM said two positive cases of swine flu have been reported from the district, while other DMs said there are enough medicines and they are prepared to deal with the outbreak of the disease on a larger scale.

The DG Health has been asked to maintain coordination between private hospitals and ensure that there is sufficient stock of medicines at all times.
Besides, people must also be told that there is nothing to worry about as swine flu is curable, Rawat said.

There are 12 confirmed cases of swine flu in Uttarakhand where two persons have died of the disease so far this year.