Seven deaths were recorded of which two deaths were in June in Telangana
The tablets in all the distribution centres of both Telangana and AP were exhausted in July 2014. (Photo: DC/File)
Hyderabad: Two new cases of confirmed swine flu from Ranga Reddy district have been reported but the tablets Tami Flu and Star Flu, given as a precautionary measure to relatives are not available with the government. The tablets in all the distribution centres of both Telangana and AP were exhausted in July 2014. But the pinch is being felt now as sporadic cases are now being reported.
A senior health officer said, “We are not visiting private hospitals where these two patients have been admitted. It is merely recorded in the epidemiology data. Earlier we would go to hospitals to counsel relatives and also distribute these tablets to them. But now we are asking the hospital authorities to counsel the relatives. They must wear gloves and also a face mask whenever they are close to the patient.”
Earlier, a large quantity of tablets was provided by the Centre to the states. A senior health officer said, “In the last case, our additional director got in touch with Karnataka and Tamil Nadu health officers but there are no tablets there either.”
In 2014, 20 cases of swine flu were recorded from January to July in Telangana. Seven deaths were recorded of which two deaths were in June. Most of the cases have been recorded from Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy districts. The recent case of a pregnant woman and a two-day old child was recorded in September 2014. The child died and the mother was on ventilator for two days and then recovered. Four sporadic cases have been recorded after July 2014 till date.
Dr K. Narsimulu, nodal officer at Gandhi Hospital said, “The cases have not been as high as they were a few years ago. We have requested the Central government to provide us with tablets and till the stocks arrive we are counselling relatives to take necessary precautions.”
A senior government doctor in epidemiology wing of Telangana said, “Tablets were a part of the preventive measure to control the spread. It was an important tool and has worked effectively. Despite cases being sporadic, measures must not be undermined and base stock must be provided to government hospitals.”
( Source : dc correspondent )
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