Officials told to stop spread of swine flu

Visakhapatnam: With the number of swine flu cases reported across the state rising, the district administration has alerted health officials to take measures to prevent spread of the disease.

District collector Pravin Kumar directed doctors of government hospitals to provide immediate healthcare services to the patients displaying symptoms of swine flu (H1N1 virus).

Mr Kumar held a meeting here on Tuesday with government hospital for chest diseases superintendent Dr G Sambasiva Rao, district medical and health officer Dr Tirupathi Rao, King George Hospital superintendent Dr G. Arjuna and KGH swine flu nodal officer Indira Devi.

The district collector enquired about the functioning of 12 swine flu screening centres. He asked KGH doctors about a case that has been referred to government TB hospital after four days when there were no facilities.

Mr Kumar insisted that swine flu patients be given treatment at a special ward in KGH and not referred to other hospitals.

Speaking about lack of basic infrastructure in TB hospital, Mr Kumar instructed officials to procure 100 vaccines.

He assured to overcome the shortage of nurses very soon. Further, he directed officials to arrange staff at RTC bus stand, railway station and airport with the responsibility of creating awareness among the public.

Presently, there are seven patients admitted into Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH) ward of TB hospital, of which three patients have shown symptoms of swine flu. So far, two persons have succumbed to the disease this season.

The DMHO has made all necessary arrangements to put a check on the seasonal influenza virus.