Health Department has stepped up surveillance to prevent spread of the H1N1 infection

Half way through February, the State has recorded more number of H1N1 (swine flu) cases than the numbers recorded in 2013 and 2014.

The Health Department has stepped up surveillance to prevent the spread of the infection, which has been virulent, claiming hundreds of lives in northern States.

Though the State government has been emphasising that the most vulnerable population are persons above the age of 65 and children below the age of five, some deaths stand out in stark contrast.

In Coimbatore, which witnessed 26 positive cases and two fatalities, the victims were a 52-year-old woman and a 40-year-old man. Both died in private hospitals. In Madurai, a 59-year-old man, who was admitted for fever in a corporate hospital a week ago, died on Thursday.

Dr. S. Balasubramanian, joint director (epidemics), Directorate of Public Health (DPH), said of the 225 cases registered in the State, at least five were brought in by visiting foreigners and in 13 other instances it was imported from other States.

Dr. Balasubramanian said travel history of the patients had contributed to infections in the State. The nine new cases diagnosed on Thursday included four from the Christian Medical College, Vellore, and five from Chennai. On Wednesday, two persons tested positive in Kancheepuram district.

Allaying fears that the infection could affect more, the Health Department said it had directed that patients must produce a doctor’s prescription for taking a test. The department had also issued protective gear to health workers.

A senior official said the protective gear would help the healthcare workers who were handling the patient from accidentally contracting the infection. “The infection is air-borne and since awareness is poor, the infection has spread quickly. However, it is now under control.”

Camps have been set up in 352 areas, including bus stands, railway stations and parks, according to the DPH officials. It has also set up rapid response forces to visit the patient and distribute Tamilflu tablets to the patient’s family and all those in contact with the patient.

Vaccination

The fear of the flu has led to many seeking vaccines. Sources say the vaccine is not easily available due to demand. However, Health Department officials say vaccination will not prevent the flu completely. “It is recommended only for health workers who are managing the patient. The reason is that nasal secretion and saliva may infect the nurse when a patient sneezes,” explained Dr. Balasubramanian.

(With additional reporting from R. Sairam in Coimbatore and Shastry V. Mallady in Madurai)