Prayagraj: In view of the rising cases of swine flu across Uttar Pradesh, the authorities of health department have issued an alert to hospitals. Claiming that the state government is fully vigilant and proactive regarding the prevailing situation and monitoring conditions in all districts, directives have been issued to ensure regular monitoring, testing, and timely treatment of suspected and infected patients, alongside taking all necessary measures to curb the spread of the infection.Officials claimed that swine flu cases are on the rise across the country. A total of 364 cases have been reported in state till August 25.After a woman was tested postive for Swine flu in neighbouring Kaushambi district of the Prayagraj division, officials of health department in Prayagraj region claimed to have made adequate arrangements to tackle situation.Dr. Sanjay Kumar, Chief Medical Officer (Kaushambi) said that the woman, a resident of the Miyan Ola neighborhood in Dara Nagar village, fell ill on August 20. When local treatment failed to provide relief, her family took her to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram, where tests confirmed she had swine flu. Her condition remains stable. Upon receiving the information, a team of health department team visited the Miyan Ola neighborhood and carried out disinfectant spraying in the surrounding area and raised public awareness about preventing the disease. CMO also stated that the patient’s travel history is being traced, and individuals who came in contact with her are being screened. Following the first case of swine flu, the Kaushambi district health administration has stepped up its efforts.In Kaushambi, a six-bed isolation ward has been set up at the district hospital in Manjhanpur, and facilities for testing—including an adequate supply of testing kits—are available. As a precautionary measure, people have been advised to wear masks and avoid visiting crowded areas.The health department and the Directorate General of Medical and Health Services in state have placed hospitals in all 75 districts on alert and issued directives for special monitoring. According to officials, most cases are sporadic, and no major cluster of swine flu infections has been observed in the state so far.Dr AK Tiwari, Chief Medical Officer (Prayagraj) said that while not a single positive case of swine flu has been detected in the Prayagraj district yet, the district health administration has made all necessary arrangements as a precautionary measure.He added, “A 10-bed isolation ward has been set up at Tej Bahadur Sapru hospital, and a 40-bed isolation ward is ready at Swaroop Rani Nehru (SRN) hospital.”Meanwhile, Dr AK Verma, Principal of Motilal Nehru (MLN) Medical college , said that in addition to setting up isolation wards, four teams have been formed in the pathology department to test samples. RT-PCR facilities, which were already available, have been activated.Meanwhile, the officials of the animal husbandry department have issued advisory for pig farmers. Following the alert issued by the health department, the animal husbandry department in the district has also become vigilant and active.Dr SN Yadav, Chief Veterinary Officer ( Prayagraj) said that pigs can also be carriers of the swine flu virus. There are over 8,000 pigs across various farms in Prayagraj. An advisory has been issued to all pig farmers, instructing them not to allow pigs from one farm to enter another and to immediately inform the veterinary hospital if any pig is suspected to be suffering from a fever.
