Thiruvananthapuram: The District Medical Office (DMO) has advised against gatherings and crowding in public place as H1N1 threat looms large in the state capital. With Onam around the corner, the DMO is planning to launch a mass media campaign to educate the public to prevent the spread of H1N1 here.
"H1N1 can easily spread. Hence a mass public campaign is very much needed. Currently, Lepto and H1N1 are a major concern for us. Onam is a time when the public gathers in large numbers in public places. We would be issuing advisories soon," said the official.
The Directorate of Health Services, the other day, has sounded the high alert on H1N1 as the state has become very vulnerable following the floods. According to DMO, posters would be displayed in public places on the precautionary measure. Fever, body pain, dry cough, throat pain, sneezing, runny nose and headache are the common symptoms of H1N1.
"Those experiencing any of these symptoms should seek medical aid. The patient while coughing and sneezing should cover their mouth and nose to avoid spreading. We will be circulating these messages among the public through social media, FM," said the official.
Meanwhile, around 8 leptospirosis deaths were reported in the state capital this year till day. "Three of the deaths were very recent. Dairy farmers, sanitation workers are among the worst affected. We have given direction to convene block-level meetings and ensure they take precautionary medicine. Recent trend shows that those work in close contact with sand and water are getting Lepto," said the official.
The DMO has also decided to hold training programmes for doctors at private hospitals on the treatment protocols to ensure early detection of the diseases. "All the training and campaigns would be finished by the end of this month," the official added.
