The Hindu Business Line : Vigil stepped up to prevent spread of flu

With the weathermen forecasting good monsoon this time, doctors monitoring the spread of H1N1 influenza virus worry that more measures are needed to check it.

Temparatures below 40 degrees Celcius might be conducive for the virus, according to Dr K Subhakar, who is in-charge of special cell at the Government Chest Hospital here said.

He, however, said that there was no need to get panicky as the surveillance at the entry point (the airport) was good. “We are able to attend to all the suspected cases. The awareness too is growing,” he said.

While the hot summer helped in a way, he felt that the ensuing rainy and winter seasons called for concerted nation-wide effort to identify the people carrying the virus.

Dr Subhakar said there were 12 cases of the flue reported so far in the State. “Of this, seven patients were discharged, while five are getting treatment at the designated cell at the Chest Hospital,” he said.

The hospital awaited results with regard to five more patients.

“We can make 100 beds available in various hospitals in the State capital to treat the patients,” he said.

Asking the people not to panic, he said the authorities could invoke Epidemic Act to get people with symptoms in the larger public interest.

Stocks

He said 18,000 tablets were kept ready. The syrup version for children too was available. “Each patient needs 10-14 tablets,” Dr Subhakar said.

Keeping in mind the anxiety and OTC (over the counter) sales, the Government had barred the sale of tablets in the open market. “We are treating them free of cost,” he added.

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