Alappuzha: Despite a directive to all district health authorities to strengthen surveillance and prevention activities against H1N1 during the monsoon, the department remains headless in Alappuzha.
Friday’s death of a 19-year-old pregnant woman, Soumy, from H1N1 at Haripad was a pointer to poor preparedness in the district prone to epidemics.
The health department also directed district authorities to take all precautionary measures including renewed and updated guidelines for doctors in H1N1 and febrile illnesses management.
The order came after staggering number of H1N1 cases were reported in the district, where the posts of district medical officer (DMO), the deputy DMO and the junior health administrator remain vacant.
At least 41 H1N1 cases were reported and eight deaths occurred in the state this year so far.
DMO Dr Safiya Beevi retired from service two months back but the department could not succeed in finding a replacement.
“In fact, there are no takers for the posts in the district. The doctor whom the government appointed as DMO refused to accept it,” said Dr Vivek Kumar, the DMO in-charge.
His office said 8,127 people have sought treatment for viral fever in the district last month.
“Instructions have been given to conduct detailed medical examinations on those who approach hospitals with the symptoms of the disease. Alappuzha Medical College, General Hospital and the taluk hospitals have adequate facilities,” he said.
The health department had in February instructed the district authorities to keep high alert while treating respiratory illnesses in high-risk groups like pregnant women, children, the elderly and those already suffering from liver, heart, or renal problems and cancer.
The district has been a hotspot of H1N1 over the years. Since 2010, at least 70 people were tested positive in places like Haripad, Chettikkad and Kuttanad, claiming at least three lives.
