Against the backdrop of lack of proper awareness on H1N1(Swine Flu) in Nagaland where so far, four cases of H1N1 has been confirmed, Health & Family Welfare minister P. Longon has stressed on the need to remain calm and be informed in order to contain and tackle the virus against its outbreak.
In a statement, Longon also appealed to all individuals, medical department and the state government to collectively fight against the virus instead of being afraid or propagating wrong information.
He also appealed to all citizens to restrain from travelling to areas where there has been outbreak of the virus and advised anyone who may have contracted the virus, to contact the nearest health centre for treatment and isolation till recovery.
The minister also assured that every effort was being made to prevent the H1N1 from other areas to spread to the state.
As a precautionary measure, he has requested the state government, health officials, allied departments and press including public to coordinate and adopt steps to prevent its spread through inter-state borders. He also directed the state health department to be on alert, mobile resources and provide proper information to people through mass media and tackle any eventuality including arrangement of isolation facilities in all district hospitals.
Further, the minister assured that there was no scarcity of required medicines and requested any person who may have been infected, to contact the nearest health centre and avail early treatment.
He also informed that necessary investigation and medicines for H1N1 was available with the department. He also said required and proper information on H1N1 was available with the nearest health centres.
Swine Flu update: death toll climbs to 1,075
NEW DELHI, MAR 1 (AGENCIES): The swine flu onslaught has claimed 34 more lives as the nationwide toll from the H1N1 virus so far this year touched 1,075 with the number of cases of the disease inching towards the 20,000 mark.
Data collated by the Health Ministry said that altogether, 1,075 persons have now perished from the disease in 2015 while the number of those affected by swine flu stands at 19,972 as on February 28.
The ministry had yesterday said that the toll as on February 27 was 1,041 while the number of persons affected by swine flu in various states was 19,046. The data Sunday showed that Gujarat has pipped Rajasthan in terms of the number of deaths with 265 casualties while 4,368 people are affected by the disease in the state.
Rajasthan has seen 261 persons falling prey to the H1N1 virus with 5,528 cases reported.
In Madhya Pradesh, swine flu has claimed 153 lives while 1,010 people were affected by the virus. The toll in Maharashtra touched 143 with 1,735 cases having so far come to light.
In Telangana and Punjab, the disease has claimed 57 and 42 lives, respectively while in Delhi, 10 persons have died due to swine flu. The number of affected persons in the national capital has risen to 2,891.
The disease has claimed the lives of 46 persons in Karnataka with Haryana (21 deaths), Andhra Pradesh (12 deaths), Himanchal Pradesh (eight deaths), Jammu and Kashmir and Kerala (both seven deaths) also grappling with swine flu.
Health Minister JP Nadda had earlier said that the 21 laboratories capable at present of testing swine flu were “not enough” and the government was planning to set up H1N1 testing facilities in every state with financial provisions being made for it.