Swine flu spreads in East Godavari

Kakinada: In the tough summer phase, the heat sensitive H1N1 virus has been spreading in East Godavari resulting in two deaths and thee positive cases in the district in the last five days.According to district medical authorities V. Girija Rani of Rajamahendravaram and Ch. Veeraraju of Kuyyeru in Tallarevu Mandal died on April 4 due to swine flu.

In the last three days 14 suspected cases have been identified at various places in the district. Of these 3 tested positive for swine flu [Swab test], six tested negative and result of tests for the remaining five suspected cases are expected from PCR lab at Visakhapatnam in a day or two.

Apart from Kakinada and Rajamahendravaram government hospitals, PHC at Oobalanka in Ravulapalem, mandal in the district has the facilities to treat the H1N1 cases. In this connection Dr K. Chandrayya East Godavari Dist Medical and Health Officer [DMHO] advised people to avoid attending festivities and crowded places besides travelling in AC buses and AC trains to the maximum extent to avoid spread of virus.

He also advised people to opt for frequent hand wash and avoid hand shake to prevent the spread of the virus. The DMHO also revealed that the district medical authorities are fully geared up to treat H1 N1, with 200 doses of medicine and treatment facility at Kakinada, Rajamahendravaram with ten bed isolated ward facility and at Oobalanka PHC in the district.

Dr. U. Sudheer, in charge superintendent of KGGH observed that tough the J1N1 virus is heat sensitive the same has been spreading in the present heat wave conditions. Dr Sudheer revealed that the virus as per observations is found active till eight hours in atmospheric conditions. He advised the people to take medical opinion in case of cold, headache and fever symptoms for H1N1.