Chennai: Eight-year-old Lokesh, who has been infected by the deadly H1N1 virus, commonly known as swine flu, is now stable, the health department said on Thursday while asking the public not to panic since elaborate arrangements have been made to ensure treatment.
The health department urged the public to go for check ups in case of respiratory problems following the admission of many from Erikarai, Pudu Gummidipoondi with the same. Health minister C. Vijaya Baskar, health secretary J. Radhakrishnan, other health officials and Tiruvallur collector E. Sundaravalli visited the spot on Thursday morning.
On the initiatives being undertaken by the health department, Director, public health department, Dr. Kulandaisamy said, “28,000 people from Tiruvallur district are to be checked in mobile camps, of which, 3,000 have already completed their checkups.”
Sources say that the district collector and rural development department will ensure new settlement houses for the 13 affected families within 60 days.
Five members of the community of 57 continue to be under treatment at the Government Stanley Medical College and Hospital, while 13 children are admitted at the Institute of Child Health and Children’s Hospital (ICH), Egmore. “Lokesh is among the 13 at ICH. 26 people have been found to have respiratory infection and are being administered antibiotics and antibacterial medicines,” he stated
“Swine flu has already been downgraded as a seasonal flu. However, as far as people with co- morbidities or co-conditions are concerned, and old people, the diabetic, pregnant women and children, we have to be extra careful,” said the health secretary.
“Adequately, the general sensitization of all the districts has also been done. The state has more than adequate stock of almost 11 lakh tamilflu tablets and syrups. This is also being made available in all the primary health centres in case of any isolated instance,” he added.
He said that there is no cause of panic or worry in this instance as it is limited to the Irula community habitation - which was huts with very little ventilation, with chances of spread.
