Drive to curb swine flu begins

Karam Prakash

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Tribune News Service

Patiala, December 20

The District Health Department today kicked off an awareness drive to spread awareness among the public about swine flu.

Patiala Civil Surgeon Dr Harish Malhotra said following the onset of the winter season, there were possibilities of an upsurge in the cases of influenza-like ailments. He said awareness was the key to prevent the spread of swine flu.

“As a preventive measure, awareness about the disease is of paramount importance. Therefore, the Health Department, through seminars, rallies, posters, pamphlet distribution and radio talk, is out to create awareness about the disease,” said Malhotra.

The posters, also released in Punjabi, will be displayed at all public places to create awareness about causes, symptoms and treatment of seasonal influenza H1N1 virus, commonly known as swine flu.

Talking about the preventive measures, Patiala Civil Surgeon advised the public to follow respiratory etiquettes by covering the mouth and nose while sneezing or coughing. He also advised avoiding unwanted public movements, if someone was sick.

Civil Surgeon urged that people should avoid direct contact with the affected persons even while greeting the other person.”

Meanwhile, Dr Sumeet Singh, District Programme Officer, said adequate arrangement had been made for the treatment and testing facilities. He said isolation wards for swine influenza had already been set up in all the major hospitals in the district.

He said that people with diabetes, hypertension, respiratory diseases and heart diseases were are more prone to swine flu. Elderly patients, children below five years and pregnant females are more vulnerable to the virus, he added.