With 118 cases of H1N1 (swine flu) reported so far this year and eights deaths in the State, the Health Department has stepped up preventive measures to tackle the virus, which has killed over 190 people in the country.

“As of now, the message to the public is: if you have a fever, consult a doctor immediately,” said K. Kolandaisamy, Director of Public Health. Doctors, nurses and paramedical staff, both in the government and private sector, have been told to handle all fever cases very carefully. “Lab tests can be done for H1N1 and we are also telling doctors to take the contact details of the patients and follow up with them up until they recover completely,” he told reporters at Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital on Monday.

The directorate is coordinating with the Tamil Nadu branches of the Indian Medical Association as well the Indian Academy of Paediatrics to train all doctors in protocols for handling H1N1, he said.

This apart, help desks have been set up at all major public points and at all government hospitals, said Director of Medical Education S. Geethalakshmi. Those travelling from the States affected by the virus and with symptoms of flu are being asked to go to hospitals.

A 24x7 control room is also operating to answer queries on H1N1. Those with suspected symptoms could contact 044-24350496 or 24334811 or the health helpline 104. “Separate wards with a total of 221 beds as well as 71 ventilators and over 800 personal protective devices have been readied at government hospitals across the State to deal with cases of H1N1. We also have a total of 3 lakh doses of Tamiflu available,” she said.

To protect those close to a patient and those treating one, Tami flu is also administered to family and friends as well as the doctors and nurses, said Dr. Kolandaisamy. Also, the patient’s house is disinfected with a 5 per cent Lysol and 10 per cent sodium hypochlorite solution, he said. “Eighty per cent of transmission occurs through contact with the hands. So washing one’s hands frequently is crucial,” he said.

He urged residents to only consult registered medical practitioners and to not self medicate.