Mangaluru, February 17: Citizens need not fear about H1N1, it is a seasonal fever, but they should see that it does not spread to others, take precautions and cooperate with the health authorities, said the Health and family welfare minister U T Khadar addressing a press meet in the at circuit house in the city on Monday February 16th.
He urged the citizens to take precautions and said, swine flu – H1N1 is a virus. If the fever persists unceasing for three days, and if there is throat infection or any respiratory problem, the patient should be immediately taken to any taluk or district hospital and instantly the medication will be started. The throat swab will be collected to test for swine flu. If the condition deteriorates, the patient will be shifted to ICU. The treatment will be provided penny free.
He further said, although the medicines for swine flu are available only with a few dealers, there is no shortage. Even the private hospitals who approached us, are provided the medicines.
Speaking about the cause for the spread of the virus in the state, he said, the virus has been transmitted from people of other states. The health department has taken sufficient measures, and compared to the previous years, this year it is controlled better.
He said, with the effort of all, the disease has been brought under control in the state. So far, 1,157 samples have been tested out of which 285 have turned out positive. Out of 285 confirmed cases, 173 (patients) have already recovered after medication and 15 are still suffering from high fever. Another 74 are being treated in various hospitals.
He said, so far in the state, there have been 18 deaths due to swine flu. Two patients suffering from swine flu have expired in the city’s hospitals, but they were from Kasargod and Rajasthan, he said.
Speaking on the spread of H1N1 virus in Mangaluru, he said, out of the 60 samples obtained , 10 have tested positive, and one among them has recuperated already.
