Thiruvananthapuram: In the wake of increasing cases of infectious diseases such as H1N1, dengue and viral fevers with heavy rains continuing across the state, the Kerala Health Department has made masks mandatory for people visiting hospitals.
Districts such as Alappuzha, Thiruvananthapuram and Thrissur have been witnessing a spurt in the H1N1 cases with the capital city reporting 49 cases and Thrissur reporting 24 cases in the last three weeks.
People suffering from cold, fever, runny nose, throat infection, respiratory issues, and vomiting have been advised to seek immediate medical care. H1N1 patients have been asked to wear masks and wash their hands with soap as it would prevent the disease from spreading. As a preventive measure, people visiting hospitals, and public places have also been urged to wear masks.
A state-level meeting was chaired by Health minister Veena George along with the Rapid Response Team (RRT) on Thursday and have urged people to not take fever in children lightly and to seek treatment. The minister has also advised parents of sick children to not send them to school until they recover from the illness.
The health department is in the process of formulating an action plan for next month. “An action plan is being formulated to prevent epidemics and ensure better treatment,” the minister said in a press release. The public has also been urged to exercise caution against bird flu which has been mainly reported in the districts of Alappuzha and Kottayam.
“Those who keep pets and birds should be careful. Anyone who has handled dead birds or animals should report any signs of illness to health workers immediately,” the release from the minister’s office said.
With heavy rains continuing across the state and water logging in highly populated areas, the health department has advised the public to be cautious as there are chances of the spread of H1N1 and viral fever.
Alappuzha district medical officer Jamuna Varghese said that, “children with fever should not be sent to school/Anganwadi/creche. Pregnant women, elderly, people with hypertension, diabetes, renal diseases, cancer, and cardiac and liver ailments should take special care. People vulnerable to catching H1N1 and those undergoing treatment for serious illnesses should take preventive medicine on the advice of a medical practitioner”.
H1N1 is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by influenza A virus
In the wake of increasing cases of infectious diseases such as H1N1, dengue and viral fevers with heavy rains continuing across the state, the Kerala Health Department has made masks mandatory for people visiting hospitals. Kerala States News India: Top News India, States News, States News Headlines, Online State News India, State Politics news
