The Health Department has issued special instructions to public hospitals on how to deal with the “suspected swine influenza virus (H1N1) epidemic”, The Express Tribune has learnt.
In a letter titled Prevention of Swine Influenza, Standard Operating Procedures, the department states that keeping in view uncertain virulence patterns and in the wake of a prevailing threat of a swine flu outbreak, necessary arrangements for its prevention and control need to be put in place.
It says all personnel dealing with suspected cases should wear masks, gowns and gloves for their protection.
The Health Department says it has ensured that Osaltamivir, the drug mainly prescribed to treat diagnosed cases of swine flu, and other support kit will be made available in hospitals.
The World Health Organisation’s guidelines for efficient control of the suspected epidemic are being circulated as well.
A professor of medicine at the King Edward Medical University told The Express Tribune that they received the department’s letter on Monday.
The department has acknowledged that swine flu has reached epidemic proportions in the province, he said.
The medical superintendent of a teaching hospital requesting anonymity said, “The government should now reserve a centre for the treatment of these patients rather than admitting them to all public hospitals.” He said an SOP stating which flu patients should be run through swine flu screening tests should also be sent. “Our airports should carry heat sensors so that visitors with high fever can be isolated from other passengers and screened before being allowed to enter the country.”
Health Secretary Dr Aijaz Munir presided over a meeting to review the H1N1 influenza A situation and reviewed the measures being taken to control it. “There are no swine flu patients in public hospitals in the Punjab yet,” he said. “Sufficient stocks of medicines are have been made available and necessary guidelines issued to all hospitals. Awareness and precautionary measures are also being taken,” said a spokesman of the Health Department.
The livestock secretary, the special health secretary, experts from the IPH, the KEMU and the WHO also attended the meeting.
Dr Babar Alam of the WHO said the cases of influenza reported in the Punjab, were not of swine flu but of H1N1 influenza A, also known as seasonal flu. The health director general said sufficient stocks of tamiflu tablets are available with the Health Department and hospitals. Isolation wards have also been set up at government hospitals.
Epidemic, Response and Control Additional Director Dr Jaffar Ilyas said there were no confirmed swine flu patients under treatment at public hospitals.
He said H1N1 influenza has unfortunately led to nine deaths in the province, but no death has been reported after April 5.
The livestock secretary said livestock experts had collected random samples from poultry farms in Multan, Lahore and other districts but all samples had tested negative for the flu. He said health experts had stressed the need to adopt preventive measures against influenza type A.
Prof of Epidemiology Dr Farkhanda Kokab said those suffering from common flu should also use handkerchiefs and tissue papers while sneezing and avoid visiting public places. The health secretary directed the department to launch a special awareness campaign against the H1N1 influenza A and said measures must be taken to control the disease during its early onset.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 8th, 2014.