New Delhi: With H1N1 emerging as the dominant strain amid a rise in seasonal influenza cases, Union health minister JP Nadda Friday reviewed Delhi’s preparedness for influenza and vector-borne diseases with Delhi health minister Pankaj Kumar Singh.Delhi has reported 2,392 influenza A cases this year, including 1,777 H1N1 infections.Singh said hospitals in the capital had adequate capacity to handle the situation, with no shortage of beds, doctors, medicines or essential medical equipment.“Delhi is fully prepared to deal with the present health situation. There is no shortage of beds, doctors, medicines or essential medical equipment and every patient will receive timely and appropriate treatment,” Singh said.The govt said influenza surveillance was being conducted daily through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme, with monitoring of influenza-like illness (ILI), severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) and influenza cases.Union health minister also called for greater involvement of municipal councillors and local bodies in spreading awareness about the prevention and control of seasonal diseases. Nadda also highlighted the rise in TB detection in Delhi, attributing it to active participation by local bodies and a whole-of-govt approach.Hospitals and district health authorities have been directed to strengthen screening, reporting and monitoring. Technical guidelines on treatment, ventilatory management, mask use and home care have also been circulated.The review also covered vector-borne diseases. Delhi has reported 246 dengue cases, 80 malaria cases and 19 chikungunya cases so far this year, with no deaths linked to any of the three diseases.As part of vector-control measures, civic agencies conducted 2.38 crore house visits and sprayed 3.2 lakh houses. More than 91,000 mosquito-positive premises were identified, while 74,591 legal notices were issued and 6,724 prosecutions launched.Following the review chaired by Nadda, Singh said the Centre had assured Delhi of all necessary support and urged residents to maintain respiratory and hand hygiene, wear masks in crowded places and seek medical advice instead of self-medicating.
