Tamil Nadu sets up call centre for info on swine flu

Chennai: Days after a 53-year-old man died of H1N1 infection here, Tamil Nadu government on Saturday reviewed the situation and set up a round-the-clock call centre as it allayed fears saying there was no need to panic. The call centre would help people get information related to swine flu and all types of fever.

"There is no need to panic, Swine flu is only a seasonal influenza," an official release said. State Health Minister C Vijayabaskar chaired a meet at the Secretariat to review preventive steps taken to tackle H1N1 infection and the current status where it was stated that the state has enough stocks of Tamilflu tablets, and 20 diagnostic centres to detect swine flu.

King Institute here, JIPMER in Puducherry and 13 private laboratories are among the centres with facilities to diagnose Swine flu, the government said. Also, government district and medical college hospitals are equipped with facilities to provide treatment for infection.

General public could get information related to swine flu and fever, diagnostic centres and treatment options from government hospitals by calling the call centre on 044-24350496 and 044-24334811.

Also, information could be availed by calling on numbers 9444340496, 9361482899 and 104 services, an official release said.