Unanswered questions about Swine Flu in State
Grey areas multiply anxiety, RIMS not officially informed
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 12 2015: Even as the State Government has officially confirmed presence of a Swine Flu case in Manipur, there are still many grey areas which are multiplying people's confusion and anxiety.

It was none other than Principal Secretary (Health) Dr Suresh Babu who officially confirmed presence of a Swine Flu case in Manipur at a press meet held in the conference hall of Old Secretariat on March 10 where RIMS Director Prof Arunkumar, Health Director O Ibomcha, JNIMS Director Prof Shyamo and Shija Hospital Managing Director Dr Palin were also present.

Despite the official confirmation, there are still many grey areas.

According to experts, only two laboratories have been notified by the Government of India across the country for testing blood samples of people suspected to have been infected by Swine Flu.

One is the National Institute of Communicable Diseases, New Delhi and the second one is Virology Centre, Pune.

File pic of Principal Secretary Dr Suresh Babu addressing the media

It was not clear in which laboratory the particular blood sample(s) was/were tested before presence of Swine Flu case in Manipur was officially confirmed.

Facilities for testing blood samples of people suspected to have been infected by Japanese Encephalitis, dengue etc are available at RIMS and JNIMS but no such facility is available for Swine Flu.

Nonetheless, the Directorate of Health Services has been implementing a special programme called Infectious Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) .

If there is any case of infection by Swine Flu, a rapid response team should be sent immediately to collect blood samples under IDSP.

Blood samples thus collected should be sent to one of the two laboratories notified by the Government of India.

But it remains doubtful if this procedure was followed exactly before presence of Swine Flu case in Manipur was officially confirmed.

Strangely, authorities of RIMS which is the largest healthcare service provider of the State have not been given any official intimation about the presence of Swine Flu case in Manipur.

RIMS authorities told The Sangai Express that certain arrangements have been made for treatment of people suspected to have been infected by Swine Flu in accordance with a written intimation from the State Government but no official confirmation has been received about the presence of Swine Flu in the State.

Alert sounded in Ukhrul, TNL bans import of chicken, pigs : Following reports of a Swine Flu case in the State, the Tangkhul Naga Long has issued a notice against importing pigs and chicken into Ukhrul district, reports Munghcan Zimik.

On the other hand, Ukhrul district hospital, as a precautionary and preventive measure, has constituted a Rapid Response Team (RRT) to monitor Swine Flu related cases in the district.

During a brief interaction, District Surveillance Officer Dr Ningreiwon said that though no case of Swine Flu has been reported in the district, necessary arrangements including an equipped isolation ward and essential medicines have been initiated at the district hospital.

The RRT comprises of 13 staff members including four doctors, nurses, and a lab technician.

As part of precautionary measures, pamphlets on Dos and Donts written in Tangkhul dialect about Swine Flu have been widely distributed.

It can be mentioned that H1N1 influenza virus can survive at a humidity of 35-40%, temperature of 28 degree C and at a climatic condition like Ukhrul.

At the same time the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL), has already served a notice against importing other domestic animals particularly pigs and chicken.

Pork is a favourite dish among the Tangkhuls, the major community in Ukhrul district.

So far one Swine Flu affected patient has passed away in Manipur while another patient awaiting a final clinical report too passed away on the same day.