One more suspected case of H1N1 virus

Air passenger admitted to Government Chest Hospital at Erragadda

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Swab samples sent to NICD, New Delhi, for confirmation

‘Ten million doses of Tamiflu acquired for distribution in case of flu outbreak’

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HYDERABAD: A 35-year-old woman air passenger, who reached Hyderabad on Friday from Minnesota via Chicago and Frankfurt, was admitted to the Government General and Chest Hospital, Erragadda, with suspected symptoms of influenza A (H1N1) flu virus.

The passenger had fever, cold and body pains, all typical symptoms for both common flu and influenza A (H1N1) flu virus.

The doctors informed that the swab samples of serum, sputum and other secretions of the patient have been sent to National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD), New Delhi, for confirmation.

Panabaka visits hospital

On Friday, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Panabaka Lakshmi visited the hospital to check out the facilities available for admitted patients.

Talking to mediapersons after her visit, the Minister reiterated that till now there was no case of influenza A (H1N1) flu virus in the country.

The hospital authorities informed the Minister that till now samples of six patients, who were admitted in the hospital, were sent to NICD, and all of them had tested negative.

The Health and Family Welfare Department has acquired 10 million doses of Tamiflu for distribution in case of an outbreak of influenza A (H1N1) flu virus in the country, the Minister said.

Directive issued

The total number of Tamiflu doses produced by pharmaceutical companies in the country is 18 million and already authorities had issued directives to drug manufacturers not sell the drug in retail.

The Minister said that efforts were on to acquire the remaining eight million doses of Tamiflu from them.

The Union Minister informed that 35,000 to 40,000 incoming international passengers are being screened scrupulously at 21 international airports in the country. In Hyderabad alone, till date, 2,500 passengers have been screened for symptoms of influenza A (H1N1) flu virus.

Principal Secretary (Health) L. V. Subramanyam, Chest Hospital Superintendent S. V. Prasad, in-charge of the influenza A (H1N1) flu virus wing of the hospital K. Subhakar and other health officials were present.

Source: THE HINDU