PMC to assess H1N1-affected regions

R. R. Pardeshi, acting Civic Medical Officer of Health (MOH), was quoted as saying, “We will form outreach teams which will conduct a survey of housing societies in the locality where the 58 students who were detected with H1N1 stay. Under this survey, about 6,000 people will undergo preliminary scrutiny.”

He further added, “Those detected with normal influenza will be treated in normal dispensaries, while those tilting towards H1N1 will be admitted to the Naidu hospital. The survey will be started immediately and ward officers are already gathering requisite information, before starting the actual survey.”

People should avoid going abroad
People have been warned to stay away from traveling abroad as far a possible. Traveling should be done in case when it is totally unavoidable.

People who have just returned back home from abroad should stay in strict isolation for at least 10 days. Since the virus develops in seven days, the symptoms may take time to surface and become noticeable.

Additional municipal commissioner M S Devnikar, said, “If people observe any symptoms of the flu, they must immediately contact the Naidu hospital.”

Awareness campaigns being initiated
At present, the PMC will be focusing on regions where the 58 students suffering from H1N1 reside. Pardeshi elaborated that workshop for doctors and workers will be conducted by the PMC, so as to educate them.

He said, “The PMC is organising a workshop for doctors and multi-purpose workers on Wednesday and also information dissemination centres will be established at ward levels. There is no need to panic and H1N1 cases detected in the city are at a mild level.”

He also added that people should not get scared as all relevant efforts are being made by the PMC in order to check the spread of flu.

The Naidu hospital, run by PMC has a capacity of 20 beds as of now, but it will be increased to 80 beds, if such a situation arises. Tamiflu tablets are also available in plenty.