Bhubaneswar: The state government Wednesday expressed its preparedness to tackle the swine-flu situation even as one more person tested positive for seasonal influenza H1N1.
“The state government has issued advisory to all health institutions to deal with swine-flu and is fully prepared to tackle it,” said Health Services director Dr Kailash Chandra Dash and advised people not to panic.
Out of four samples, one case has tested positive Wednesday, officials said. Giving details of the overall swine-flu situation in the state, health department personnel indicated that of the 127 samples, 13 have been tested positive for flu so far.
Giving details about the diagnosed cases of flu in the capital city in the past three days, the Health Services director said, ‘‘Persons who have tested positive for H1N1 virus in the state during the last couple of days are undergoing treatment in private hospitals in Bhubaneswar.”
Advising people not to panic, Dash said swine-flu is not affecting people in new areas as in the previous years. In its present form, the disease can be described as seasonal influenza, he said. “However, people need to be cautious while moving in crowded places. In case of cold and sore throat, they should seek medical advice immediately, he said.
Stating that the state government was fully geared up to deal with any situation, Dr Dash said there is sufficient stock of medicines in the state. A public awareness drive is also being launched to sensitise people about the disease, he said.
Special segregated wards have been arranged in all the medical college hospitals and Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar to handle swine-flu cases, he said. Arrangements have also been made in district headquarter hospitals, he said.
The RMRC, Bhubaneswar, has been recommended for testing throat swab for H1N1 free of cost, the director added.
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