Two swine flu deaths recorded in State ; Health Department rings out 'don't panic' call
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 11 2015: The first Swine Flu casualty was recorded in the State as two persons died of the disease today in the State.

A Swine Flu infected woman who underwent treatment in critical condition at Shija Hospital died of the disease this morning at the hospital and another woman, who is awaiting the result of her fluid sample which was sent for confirmation also died.

Health and Family Welfare Minister T Phungzathang announced this in a press meet held at the Old Secretariat conference hall.

Saying that the disease is curable, Phungzathang appealed to all not to panic.

He said that five persons, including one confirmed to be infected by the virus, are undergoing treatment at a hospital.

Press Conference at Old Secretariat Hall, Imphal with Shri Phungzathang Tonsing Minister Health & Family Welfare Pix - DIPR

A woman from Imphal East who is confirmed to have been infected by Swine Flu died of the disease early today morning at Shija Hospital.

Another woman who is awaiting test result of the fluid sample which was sent to a laboratory outside the State for confirmation also died today, the Minister said.

Besides the precautionary measures being taken up earlier by the Govt, strict instruction has been issued to all Govt hospitals of the State to take up stringent measures to tackle the deadly disease, Phungzathang said.

The Minister further said that the Govt has been spreading awareness on Swine Flu to the public through newspapers, radio and TV channels for almost one month now.

Conveying that the State Govt has decided to provide assistance of Rs 1.5 lakh to Swine Flu infected patients under the Manipur State Illness Assistance Fund, the Minister said that those infected patients treated at Govt empanelled private hospitals are also entitled to get the benefit.

Speaking at the occasion, State Health Director, Dr O Ibomcha said that two patients infected with Swine Flu were discharged from hospital after receiving treatment while one is still undergoing treatment at hospital.

Pointing out that Swine Flu can be cured by administering Tamiflu tablet for five consecutive days, Dr O Ibomcha said that it is not proper to keep children or family members of infected persons in confinement or disallow them from going to school.

He further said that bodily contact for performing rites with persons who have died due to Swine Flu is not hazardous.

Saying that people suspected to have Swine Flu infection and family members of the infected persons are administered requisite medicines, Dr Ibomcha said that there is no need to administer Swine Flu drugs to the public at all localities.

Fielding a question, Dr Ibomcha said that the person confirmed to have Swine Flu infection has a record of visiting Sikkim, but there is no confirmation on how the person got infected or how the disease transmitted to the person.

State Ayush Officer, A Guneshwar said that Swine Flu or other influenza can be prevented by taking homeopathy medicine, Arsenic Alb for three days.

This medicine can be procured from Urban Health Centre, Singjamei.

More medicine would be procured tomorrow, he added.

The press meet was also attended by Principal Secretary (Health), Dr Suresh Babu.