By Raqib Hameed Naik, TwoCircles.net,
Srinagar: With deadly swine flu virus spreading rapidly in Jammu and Kashmir, the death toll in H1N1 virus infection has gone up to five.
Four people have died in Kashmir Valley and in Jammu, Superintendent of Police (Admin) Sunil Gupta succumbed to the disease on Thursday. Kashmir Valley is among worst affected as more than 100 people have been tested positive including some Doctors treating H1N1 patients. “I cannot confirm the exact number, but yes 2-3 doctors have tested positive for the virus,” Head of Department (HoD) of Medicine, Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Dr Parvaiz Kaul told PTI.
He said the doctors and paramedical staff were at high risk and there was a need to protect them from the infection. “They (medical staff) are the ones who are at a high risk. They do not know what is coming to them. Any patient can be carrying the virus and may infect the medical staff. There is a need to protect them by giving those masks and all that which acts like their protective gear,” the doctor said.
Dr Kaul, who is also in-charge of the Influenza Project in the state, said more cases of the disease have been detected in the Valley.
The spike in cases has caused panic and fear among the people with a vast section of society accusing health authorities of unpreparedness and ignoring of warnings.
“When their own doctors aren’t safe, how can they ensure safe and sound treatment of the infected patients” said a local resident. The authorities have already sounded an alert with Government Officials continuously monitoring the situation. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary Iqbal Khandey reviewed the status of Influenza A H1N1 management in both Kashmir and Jammu Divisions with senior health officials. Mr Khandey stressed on educating the people about the infection through television, talks, radio, newspapers besides, issuing advisories regarding Dos and Don’ts to check spread of the infection and to address apprehensions.
During meeting Director SKIIMS informed chief Secretary that “Tamiflu Tablets are available in the hospital and 6,000 more Tablets will be arriving today whereas order for 50,000 Tablets has been
Issued and these will be arriving shortly and will be distributed to various hospitals of the state to augment their supplies of Tamiflu Tablets,” he added.
Meanwhile, Union Health Minister JP Nadda in a brief chat with Kashmir News Service said that government of India is closely monitoring the situation in the state.
“We are closely monitoring the swine flu situation in Jammu and Kashmir. If need arises a central team will be sent soon to the state. There is no shortage of medicines and people should not panic,” he said.
“Government of India has directed the state government to keep the hospitals equipped with isolation wards and make sure the availability of the adequate medicines. I appeal to the people of Jammu and Kashmir that they should arrive at hospitals immediately if they suspect any symptom of swine flu. There is no need to panic but people should remain alert,” the Minister added.
Pertinently, India is in grip of worst ever H1N1 Pandemic with 743 deaths and 12000 cases of infection already reported.