Punjab govt gears up to tackle swine flu

Punjab government is all geared up to tackle any swine flu outbreak situation in the state, with directions being issued to civil surgeons to take all precautionary measures to ward off H1N1 influenza virus.
"Necessary instructions have been issued to the civil surgeons to ensure the availability of medical and para- medical staff and take all precautionary measures to check the spread of swine flu cases in the state," an official spokesman of health department here, said.
The preventive steps have been taken due to the change in the climate as H1N1, the swine flu virus, is generally found in cold weather.

The civil surgeons have also been asked to ensure adequate arrangements in the hospitals, especially, handling even suspected swine flu patients, if any, he said.
The official also said sufficient stock of Tamiflu has been made available, ventilators provided and isolation wards would also be set up as per the requirement of all hospitals in the state.
The state surveillance units have been activated to keep a round-the-clock vigil on the health situation of the people, and imparted required training to tackle swine flu outbreak, he said, adding, all civil surgeons have been directed to call a meeting with the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and execute information, education, and communication (IEC) activities in their respective districts.

He also said a daily report will be sent to the state's surveillance unit, and instructed private hospitals to strictly follow the guidelines regarding swine flu.

"24x7 monitoring will be done at the directorate-level and complete vigil will also be maintained," he said.
The government urged people not to ignore symptoms like high temperature along with cough, cold and problem in breathing and asked them to immediately report to their nearest health centre for treatment.
He said blood samples of such patients could be taken, if needed.
He said people should avoid crowded places and should maintain a distance of minimum two feet while meeting with the people especially those having symptoms of the disease.

They should also keep handkerchiefs or any cloth while sneezing and wash their hands at regular intervals, he said.