Mysuru: The Zilla Panchayat, Department of Health and Family welfare, and the District Surveillance Unit launched a joint initiative to create awareness about H1N1 and Ebola in district at the District Health Office.
Speaking during the meeting, President of Zilla Panchayat – Dr Pushpa Amarnath said, “People should not worry about H1N1 disease as it doesn’t spread easily, however one must create awareness about it in the neighborhood.”
In our city, there are many hospitals which provide treatment for such disease, she said assuring the general public. People who have high and continuous fever they should immediately contact doctors for first aid, she advised.and stressed the need for immediate precautionary measures.
The district administration has decided to create awareness about this disease in all the prominent places of the city such as bus stand, railway stations, shopping malls and airports. Pamphlets and posters have been printed and distributed.
We will create awareness in schools and colleges too, Dr Pushpa Amarnath noted. In the Railway station, a special medical officer will be appointed to prevent the disease. Tamiflu tablets provided to prevent the disease at the starting stage, she informed.
However, she pointed out that while there is no diagnostic lab in Mysuru currently for the required lab tests, the same are being conducted in Manipal and Nimhans hospital. She immediately sent a letter to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah about the urgent requirement of diagnostic labs in the city. Also there are only 15 ventilators in KR Hospital and she assured, that 6 more ventilators will be installed in the hospital soon. In the meeting Amarnath ordered all the Health officers to visit three hospitals on daily basis.
As per the report of 2009, around 153 samples have been sent to the lab and in which 24 were found positive and following which 7 deaths were reported in the district. In 2010, around 217 samples were sent, in which 47 were found positive and 11 died. In 2011 85 samples were sent however only 2 were found positive and no deaths, were reported. In 2012, 61 samples were sent 8 were found positive and 1 died. In 2014, 97 samples were sent, 21 were found positive and 2 deaths were reported. In the year 2015, the DHO has sent 4 samples, till now, and the results are pending.
The symptoms of H1N1 were also discussed. Heavy fever and respiratory problems are probably the most common symptoms of the deadly disease. President of the Zilla Panchayat Health Committee Rajanna, Nodal Officer of DHO Nagaraju, RMO of KR hospital Chandrashekar and Dr Puttaswamy were present.
