Monitor H1N1 cases strictly, state tells district authorities

HYDERABAD: State health authorities, in a fresh circular have advised district-level officials to speed up preparations of isolation wards for swine flu (H1N1) cases. With prevalent seasonal changes and low temperatures, swine flu is expected to peak.
District officials and government hospital authorities have been asked to strictly monitor swine flu cases.“In view of the influenza season and increasing cases of H1N1 in the state, there is every need to maintain strict vigil and close monitoring to contain the spread of the disease,” read the latest memo.
H1N1 is an acute respiratory infection caused by influenza virus and is spread through air. “There is an established line of treatment with effective drugs for treatment of H1N1. However, strict compliance to treatment protocol should be ensured as well as abundant and timely care should be taken for the high-risk category of patients,” advised the circular.
Pregnant women, elderly people over 65 years of age, children below five years of age, patients with heart disease, kidney or lung disease, cancer patients and patients who have undergone an organ transplant fall in the high-risk category.