Health Director cautions against Swine Flu
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 19 2015: Stating that Swine Flu is caused by a highly resistent virus which can now be transmitted from man to man, Health Director Dr O Ibomcha has appealed to all the people to be very cautious against Swine Flu.

Earlier, Swine Flu was contracted from pigs but it has been confirmed that it now spreads from man to man, said Dr O Ibomcha during a press meet at his office chamber today.

Swine Flu can now be transmitted from man to man, said Ibomcha.

Death toll caused by Swine Flu in India has reached 631 .

Health Services has taken up a number of measures to combat Swine Flu in Manipur.

A separate cell to tackle Swine Flu has been opened at Imphal.

Moreover, district level cells headed by district surveillance officers have been opened under Chief Medical Officers of each district.

A chart showing Swine Flu infection rate and people taking precautions

While appealing to all the people not to be unduly panicky about Swine Flu, Dr Ibomcha cautioned that cold and fever can sometimes lead to fatality.

That is why precautionary measures have been taken up.

Tackling Swine Flu or any epidemic cannot be successful without people's cooperation.

Swine Flu virus can be transmitted from one man to another through sneezing and coughing etc.

The deadly virus can also be transmitted on touching articles such as equipment used in public toilets touched a short time ago by Swine Flu infected persons.

Children below five, adults above 65, pregnant women and people who have undergone kidney transplantation are more vulnerable to Swine Flu.

Dettol and soaps should be used in washing hands as a precautionary measure against Swine Flu.

If there is no compelling reason, people should avoid visiting places where Swine Flu epidemic has broken out, said the Health Director.

In case someone visited the said areas before the outbreak of Swine Flu or had attended Swine Flu patients, he/she should be confined within their homes in a separate room for seven days.

In case a man is suffering from fever and his body temperature reaches 104 degree Fahrenheit followed by puking and frequent excretion, he may be given Oseltamivir Flurvir even if he is yet to undergo laboratory tests, Dr Ibomcha said.

Capsules needed for prevention of Swine Flu and personal protection equipment have been stocked in adequate quantities.

If the condition of any patient suffering from cold and fever worsens, he/she must be rushed to a hospital.

If the patient is suffering from breathing difficulties and if blood is present in the sputum after the cough, number of attendants should be limited and the attendants should use personal protection equipment.

RIMS and JNIMS authorities have been already written to arrange separate wards for treatment of Swine Flu infected people.

There is a private centre called SRL at RIMS Road for testing Swine Flu infection.