Assam on high alert against swine flu virus

GUWAHATI: Following one reported swine flue death in neighbouring Meghalaya, the state is on high alert against the H1N1 virus. Umesh Phangshu, joint director of National Health Mission, Assam, said on Tuesday all steps are being taken by the department to keep a check on the virus, though no swine flu cases have been detected in Assam so far.
A 57-year-old woman, who had been admitted to hospital on October 19 with fever, cough, weakness and respiratory distress - symptoms of swine flu - died on October 28 in Shillong.

"After getting the report from Meghalaya, we have taken all possible preventive measures. We have already alerted all the districts across the state. We have also issued instructions on how to identify the victims. We have also asked the concerned districts to keep an eye on patients with history of migration and they are being observed closely. The officials and workers who are handling the cases have been provided injections to combat the situation," Phangshu told TOI.

Assam's two diagnostic centres, the Regional Medical Research Centre (RMRC), Dibrugarh and the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), are on high alert as well.

"The symptoms to watch out are are almost like flu - cold and fever. Whenever respiratory problem or chest pain is seen, we immediately send these cases to the ICU. We have been alert round the year. Last year we didn't record a single case. There is not much to worry," Phangshu added.

Airport Authority of India officials at the Guwahati international airport and Shillong airport have also been asked to take precautionary measures. Another woman had tested positive for swine flu in Shillong and was admitted to hospital on October 24. The 27-year-old woman, hailing from Mumbai, had come to Shillong to attend a church convention.