Thiruvananthapuram: With H1N1 becoming endemic across the state, the health authorities have sounded an alert against the infection which has already claimed 40 lives in last five months.
Of the 2400 swabs taken for laboratory investigations, 580 were found to be positive. Doctors say the rate of infection is 25 per cent at the moment and could go up with entire southern peninsula reporting significant number of cases. The incidence rate had shot up to 30 per cent about two weeks ago.
In view of the increasing number of cases, all hospitals down to the level of Primary Health Centres have stocked Oseltamivir, the medicine for treating H1N1 type influenza. While 1.80 lakh capsules of Oseltamivir are available with the hospitals in government sector few more lakhs are with Karunya pharmacy.
However, inadequate stocks of medicines in private hospitals continue to be a problem.
The authorities said H1N1 cases are reported in small numbers initially but subsequently the cases increase significantly. This trend was witnessed in 2015.
“The situation is still under control but we are taking all measures for prevention, control and treatment of the infection. Disease control measures are being undertaken on a war footing,’’ said H1N1 Nodal officer Dr Amar Fettle. H1N1 control room was fully functional to monitor the spread of the disease and coordinate disease control activities across the state.
The district health authorities have been directed to strictly enforce hospital infection control protocol and monitor its implementation in major hospitals and health centres.
Opposition walks out Meanwhile the Opposition staged a walkout from the Assembly on Monday alleging lack of effective government steps in preventing the spread of diseases like H1N1. The Opposition also asked the government to give financial assistance to the families of those who died of the disease.
Replying to an adjournment notice, Health Minister K.K. Shylaja maintained that owing to the effective initiatives by the health department and local bodies, the spread of the disease could be contained. There was no alarming situation now. Pre-monsoon activities to prevent the outbreak of diseases during the rains were also progressing.
