Hyderabad|India|August'2009: “As far as prevention and control of Swine Flu is concerned, your State has done extremely well compared to any other State in the country. Well done, keep it up, it is primarily because you are a doctor CM and you know how to deal with the situation”, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Ghulm Nabi Azaad told Chief Minister Dr Y S Rajasekhara Reddy in a telephonic conversation yesterday night. The Union Health Minister hailed the steps taken by the Government of A.P. which has become a role model for other States in this regard. He said Andhra Pradesh today stands as No.1 State in preventing and controlling the Swine Flu.

Meanwhile the Chief Minister has convened a high level meeting on Wednesday, the 12th August to discuss about further steps to be initiated in preventing the spread of the H1N1 flu cases. The Government of India is also deputing officials to Hyderabad to study and suggest any further measures necessary in this regard. There were 76 cases H1N1 flu cases reported and of them, 72 were discharged and two more people will be discharged today. The situation is well under control and there is no need for any panic. The situation is also absolutely not serious here compared to some other cities in the country. The Chief Minister informally discussed the measures being taken in this regard with officials.

The authorities have taken all adequate measures to prevent any spread of the disease and a toll free number is opened in the State now to get any information. Father of a Canada Medico who was affected by the disease after treated in Hyderabad and discharged was very happy and donated a server for the toll free number. The nodal Officer at the Government Chest Hospital for the Swine Flu cases. Dr Subhakar said “We are giving all information and details regarding the Swine Flu through this number—12506 (BSNL). The nodal officer said “the moment we suspect a case, immediately we give the patient “Fluvir”, the medicine to treat Swine Flu. We also prescribe medicines to all the people in the house where the suspected case came from including the servants, milkman and newspaper boy”.

Since the H1N1 flu made its appearance in a large scale in Pune, the authorities are now taking precautionary measures in Bus stations and Railway stations also. Brochures suggesting measures to be taken are also being distributed at all these places GHMC has put up huge hoardings in this regard.

The first positive case of H1N1 Influenza A in India has been reported on 16.5.2009 from an overseas traveller who landed at Shamshabad. The State Government immediately swung into action and in coordination with the Ministry of Health, Government of India, has been screening the passengers arriving at the International Airport from 30-4-2009 itself. So far 2,87,364 passengers have been screened at International Airport, Shamshabad by teams constituted from Teaching Hospital and APVVP Hospitals with the support of their para medical staff. This disease is only spread by virus carried by people who travelled from abroad and 219 Passengers who were suspected to be having symptoms of H1N1 were advised to go for detailed medical check up. It is noticeable that due to awareness created by the State Government through active support from Print and Electronic Media, more than 70 suspects came voluntarily to the designated nodal hospital viz., A.P. Chest Hospital at Erragadda, Hyderabad to undergo check-up and treatment.

At A.P. Chest Hospital, 14 isolated rooms including 6 full fledged Intensive Care Unit beds have been set up for tackling H1N1. All the suspected passengers are provided free transport to A.P. Chest Hospital from International Airport through 108 EMRI vehicles owned by Government of Andhra Pradesh Through Government of India, the State Government has received 20400 "Fluvir" tablets. Adequate stock of this medicines has been sent to all District Hospitals.

Whenever a suspected case is confirmed as Positive sample of H1N1, prophylactic dose of medicines are also given to passengers on that flight including three rows in the front and 3 rows in the rear to the seat occupied by the confirmed H1N1 patient. So far 76 people have been confirmed with Influenza H1N1 A. Out of whom 72 are from Hyderabad and 4 from Visakhapatnam. Out of 76 positive cases 22 are children and 54 adults.

Due to timely care and attention provided by Medical personnel of State Government, 72 of the affected have been successfully discharged. 4 patients are on treatment and samples of 28 suspects are awaiting examination results. Government have released Rs.17.60 lakhs to A.P. Chest Hospital for making arrangements fit for H1N1 affected patients. Government is fully geared up to meet any exigency by utilizing Human Resources and Infrastructure available with Government and with Private Health providers.

In coordination with the Department of school Education, efforts will be mounted to undertake "School Health Programme" among all the School going children to prevent incidence of any illness that can endanger their lives. In select districts of 6 viz., Ananthapur, Mahabubnagar, Prakasham, Nalgonda, Vizianagaram and Nellore in the first phase, School Health Programme will be launched jointly by Department of Health, Medical and Family Welfare and School Education. In this de-worming will be item of focus. In a phased manner, all the districts will be brought under this programme to bring awareness among children of basic health care practices and to detect diseases to provide early timely medical care. Health Minister D Nagender, Principal Secretary Mr Subramaniam, Nodal Officer Dr Subhakar and other officials were also present.