Chennai: With Tamil Nadu reporting increasing number of people contracting H1N1 (swine flu) virus, Health Minister C Vijayabhaskar on Wednesday said situation in the state is “under complete control” and there was no need to panic since the state has adequate supply of Tamiflu tablets and vaccine.
Mr Vijayabhaskar said the first case of H1N1 this season was detected in Tiruvallur district and then it spread to Coimbatore, Vellore and Tiruchy. These four districts have reported maximum number of people who have been detected with the swine flu virus.
“The situation is under complete control. We have taken enough measures to tackle the situation and I appeal to the people not to panic. The state government has adequate supply of Tamiflu tablets and vaccine,” Mr Vijayabhaskar told Deccan Chronicle.
While the state 14 lakh Tamiflu tablets, it also has a stock of 4 lakh vaccines for swine flu, the Minister said. Tamiflu is an antiviral prescription medicine used to treat the flu virus (influenza) and is available in liquid and in capsules.
Mr Vijayabhaskar also asked people to take necessary precautions to ensure that they don’t catch the virus even if they come in contact with carrier of the virus. “People should wash their hands once at regular intervals through the day and should also keep themselves hydrated by drinking lots of water,” the Minister, himself a doctor, said.
The Health and Family Welfare Department is taking every measure to ensure that people are treated with proper care. Also, government health workers have been creating awareness among the people about swine flu and the precautions that they should take.
