Following the detection of the district’s first confirmed swine flu (H1N1) case, chief medical officer (CMO) Dr AK Tiwari has directed all three government hospitals in Prayagraj to establish separate outpatient departments (OPDs) for swine flu patients. He has also ordered vaccination of frontline healthcare workers and mandated daily reporting of swine flu testing and surveillance activities to the CMO office.
Meanwhile, a swine flu case had also been reported in Kaushambi district last month. After local treatment failed to provide relief, her family took her to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram, where tests confirmed H1N1 infection. Separate Flu wards have also been set up in government hospitals for admitting cases of the infection. The woman had been suffering from cold and flu-like symptoms for nearly a week and was initially taken to a private hospital for treatment. Following confirmation of the infection, she was referred to Swaroop Rani Nehru (SRN) Hospital for specialised care. The CMO has instructed doctors posted at Tej Bahadur Sapru (Beli) Hospital, Colvin Hospital, Community Health Centres (CHCs) and Primary Health Centres (PHCs) to remain vigilant and strictly follow protocols for screening, reporting and treatment of suspected cases. Her condition is currently stable.
The district reported its first swine flu case on August 29 when a 50-year-old woman from Sarai Inayat tested positive for the H1N1 virus. Chief medical officer Dr Sanjay Kumar said a woman from the Miyan Ola locality of Dara Nagar village fell ill on August 20.
The health department has intensified preparedness measures to prevent the spread of the infection and ensure early detection and reporting of suspected cases, according to Dr Tiwari. The CMO said vaccination against the flu infection is being provided to frontline workers engaged in testing and those deployed in special flu wards established for suspected patients. Doctors described her condition as critical and said she had been placed on oxygen support.
The patient was admitted to the isolation ward at SRN Hospital on Friday night.
