One more death and 75 new cases were registered in the state due to Swine Flu on Saturday. With this, the total deaths Gujarat touched 54 and the cases recorded stand at 1190.
It should be noted that Gujarat ranks second in Swine Flu deaths in the country in 2019. It is also among the top three states, apart from Rajasthan and Delhi, to see the highest number of cases.
Meanwhile, in view of the rising cases of Swine Flu and deaths due to the disease the Union Health Ministry has sent two teams to Gujarat to assess the situation and assist the state in strengthening their response mechanism. One team was also sent to Punjab.
"Two central teams have been sent to Gujarat and Punjab as they have reported large number of fatalities due to the H1N1 infection," said an official of the ministry.
Both teams comprise a microbiologist, an epidemiologist and a clinician. The ministry had earlier deputed a public health team to Rajasthan, which has recorded the highest number of cases and deaths due to swine flu this year.
The states have also been advised to involve district collectors in enhancing public awareness and outbreak response. In a recently held high-powered meeting with senior officials of the ministry, Union health secretary Preeti Sudan reviewed the state of preparedness and action taken to deal with H1N1 influenza cases.
The guidelines for influenza vaccination were shared with all the states and the details of manufacturers of vaccine provided by the Drug Controller General of India was shared with all the states.
Communication material for preventive measures has also been shared with all the states.
"Majority of cases have been reported from 13 states (and the majority of deaths have been reported from Rajasthan, Gujarat and Punjab. Deaths have been seen more in persons having comorbidities like diabetes, hypertension etc," the official said.
— With agency inputs
