Bhubaneswar: The swine flu toll in Orissa Friday rose to seven with the death of three more patients while health officials have launched awareness campaigns among people. Alarmed by the developments, the Cuttack civic body has taken up efforts to shift pigsties from city areas as a remedial measure.
A person undergoing treatment at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack died while being treated for Swine flu late Thursday, informed the swine flu nodal office of the hospital.
The deceased hailed from Tirtol area in Jagatsinghpur, sources said.
One of the two patients who was from Bargarh died of swine flu during treatment at VIMSAR at Burla Friday.
Meanwhile, a report said at least two doctors, one at the SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack and another at the Capital Hospital here, have tested positive for H1N1 virus.
At least 30 samples were sent Friday for investigation of which 12 tested positive taking the total number of H1N1 virus affected persons in Orissa to 96. Health department sources have indicated that six persons afflicted with swine flu are from Khurda, two each from Cuttack and Bargarh and one each from Keonjhar, Jagatsinghpur and West Bengal.
While two persons are undergoing treatment at SUM hospital and Kalinga hospital, three are being treated at Apollo. Besides, one person each is getting treatment at Capital Hospital, Nilachal Hospital, KIIMS, AMRI, VIMSAR (Burla) and the SCB medical college and hospital at Cuttack.
Meanwhile, the authorities of the Health department are mulling to administer vaccine to medicos and medical staff deployed at the swine flu ward in the hospitals after two doctors tested positive for swine flu.
Swab samples of a doctor working at the Orthopaedic department in Capital Hospital and a junior doctor of SCB, Cuttack, were found positive for the vector-borne disease.
Relocating piggeries
Cuttack: As part of effort to check spread of swine flu, the Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) has directed all pig owners to shift their animals away from city. The civic body has decided to direct farmers to relocate piggeries five kilometres away from residential areas within seven days. According to CMC sources, a recent survey had confirmed that 15 farmers have pigsties having 900 pigs altogether at 10 locations, including Bidanasi, CDA, Khannagar, Jagatpur, Gandhipalli and Hadiapatha. “Pigs are the main carriers of H1N1 virus. Our officials will visit farmers and convince them to shift their pigs away from the city. We will take care to maintain cleanliness near pigsties,” said CMC commissioner Bikash Chandra Mahapatra. The civic body may seek the cooperation of police and district administration in this regard. Chief district medical officer (CDMO) Bishwakalyan Patnaik claimed relocation of pigs will help authorities to deal with swine flu better. “We have asked civic authorities to launch a campaign on H1N1 virus,” Patnaik said.
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