Two cases of H1N1 flu detected in J&K; measures put in place

Two cases of H1N1 Influenza have been reported in Jammu and Kashmir, prompting the government to step up measures in place to tackle the flu.
The Jammu and Kashmir Health department collected 43 samples of suspected H1N1 patients yesterday, out of which two turned out to be positive.
"We collected 43 samples of suspected H1N1 patients in Jammu and Kashmir yesterday. Of these two are positive and 31 negative and reports of 10 samples are awaited", a senior officer of the Health department said.
In view of these reports, Governor N N Vohra yesterday reviewed the preparedness of the Health and Medical Education Department in dealing with the problem.

"The state has geared up to deal with H1N1 flu. The preparedness to tackle H1N1 flu in the State has been reviewed and measures put in place", Commissioner Secretary Health and Medical Education department, Dr Mandeep Bhandari said.
As per the situation report on H1N1 Flu status provided by the Secretary Health and Medical Education, a total of 32 samples of suspected patients were collected in Jammu division and 11 in Kashmir division, the department officer said.

"Out of 32 collected samples in Jammu Division, 23 cases have been found negative, two positive and reports of seven cases are pending.

In Kashmir Division, out of 11 samples collected, 8 are negative and results of the rest are awaited", he added.
Bhandari said that a Control Room has been established in the Directorates of Health Services at Jammu and Srinagar; an advisory has been circulated to all districts for the sensitization of health
care professional and para professionals, including ASHAs and Anganwadi workers, regarding the disease.
Besides, screening and sample collection centres have been established at Government Medical College, Jammu, SKIMS Soura, GMC Srinagar, hospitals in Gandhinagar and Sarwal for drawing samples of the persons suspected to have Influenza-A.