New Delhi, August 10: After eight cases of swine flu were detected in the area under the jurisdiction of the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), the civic agency is taking no chances. Besides gearing up to tackle all H1N1 positive cases, the NDMC has also got all preventive measures in place. The civic body is banking on its awareness campaign to educate people about the disease.
“The Health department of NDMC is fully prepared to handle swine flu cases,” said NDMC medical officer of health PK Sharma. “With eight cases being reported in our area we have also stepped up the preventive measures.”
Door-to-door campaign
The health education unit of the civic body is now going to NDMC schools and all the houses in the area, telling the residents about the dos and don’ts. The principals of all NDMC schools have already been sensitised about the disease and the measures they need to take to tackle the situation.
faces when around someone who has a cold or other symptoms of swine flu. A list of the same has also been uploaded on NDMC’s official website,” said Sharma.
The NDMC has put in place a unique information system of doctors and other medical staff who are constantly in touch with state government officials. “Once we receive information about the positive cases, we track down their family members. They are then given anti-viral tablets for five days as a precaution,” he added.
All the persons who tested positive in the NDMC area, said Sharma, had either travelled abroad or come in contact with foreigners who had contracted swine flu. “The situation is under control and we are not planning to shut our schools as of now, because, of the eight patients of swine flu, five had travelled abroad and got infected there.”
All eight patients in the area are currently undergoing treatment at the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, which has been designated as the nodal hospital for handling H1N1 cases by the state government. “Guidelines have also been issued by the Delhi government and we are following them too,” he added. “We are also following the state government’s instructions to ensure prophylactic treatment to all patients,” he added.
Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit has, meanwhile, said schools in the Capital do not have to be closed due to the swine flu scare. The Delhi government has opened a round-the-clock control room and a helpline to provide information and directions regarding H1N1 flu.
Till Sunday, a total of 178 swine flu patients were discharged from various hospitals here, whereas 58 are still under treatment.
“For the time being, it has been decided not to close schools. However, the schools will be sent an advisory giving detailed information about H1N1 flu to dispel fears,” said Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit.
The state government has also instructed all patients to strictly follow quarantine rules both at the hospital and at home.
They have been told to use a three-layer mask which is freely available in the market in case they feel the need and not take any medicine even in the case of ordinary flu without consulting a physician.
Fourteen hospitals in Delhi have been providing treatment to swine flu patients. Eleven of these are Delhi government hospitals, two Central government hospitals and an MCD hospital where the staff has been attending to patients.
The Capital reported 13 new cases of H1N1 on Sunday, taking the tally of those recovering from the disease to 58. Of the 58 patients, 23 have been hospitalised while 35 are under home quarantine.
The government will issue an adSchools that are closed: Sanskriti School, Chanakyapuri, has decided to remain closed for a week after two of its students — from Class IV and Class II — tested positive for the H1N1 virus on Saturday. On Sunday, the school informed all parents that the school will stay shut till August 17 as a precaution.
Delhi Public School, in East of Kailash, has been closed for a week after a class IV student tested positive for the H1N1 virus. The school will stay closed till August 17. DPS Mathura Road has also decided to stay closed on Monday as a precautionary measure.
–Agencies