States asked to take precautionary steps to combat swine flu

With a number of swine flu cases reported from various parts of the country, the Centre today asked states to take all precautionary measures to combat the disease and also submit a status report on their preparedness.
Health Minister J P Nadda who reviewed the situation with representatives of Goa, Kerala, Telangana, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh asked the states to submit the status report by October 10 even as the ministry issued two separate advisories regarding the same.
"The states are advised to ensure that they have the required and adequate quantities of stock of drug Oseltamivir, viral diagnostic kits, viral transport media, personal protective equipment and N-95 masks, at different levels in the healthcare system.

"State governments have also been requested to ensure that sufficient isolation facilities are available and functional, well-equipped to manage critical respiratory emergencies," Nadda said.
The Ministry also asked the states to remain vigilant and take precautionary measures to prevent morbidity or mortality due to the H1N1 virus.
"The Ministry has also asked for a status report from the states on their preparedness in terms of PPE, N95 masks, testing kits, medicines, vaccines and others by October 10," an official statement said.

Swine flu cases are currently being reported from Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Rajasthan and Telangana and with ensuing winter season, these cases might see an increase, one of the advisories said.

Chief secretaries of the states and Union Territories have been requested to review level the preparedness measures in the state at their level and issue necessary guidance to address shortfalls.
"All assistance has also been assured by the Centre to the efforts of the states in the matter," the statement said.