The virus H1N1 has not changed its strain in Rajasthan and tamiflu medicine is quite effective for its treatment in the state, officials from National Institute of Virology, (NIV), Pune confirmed. Before this, in last summer, NIV and SMS Medical college officials had confirmed that H1N1 virus in Rajasthan, just like in Maharashtra, had changed its strain from California to Michigan making it enough strong to sustain in warm weather conditions.
In a review meeting held recently in the wake of current uncontrolled situation of Swine flu in the state, team of NIV Pune headed by Dr Mandeep Chaddha and Dr Varsha Patidar said that there has been no change detected in the strain of H1N1 virus in recent samples of patients from Rajasthan and no resistance for the medicine tamiflu, which is currently being used for prevention and treatment of swine flu, has been detected.
The meeting was held by the chief minister Ashok Gehlot to review the situation of Swine flu in the state in which health minister Raghu Sharma, officials of state health department and team of NIV pune were present.
After the meeting, Gehlot instructed that to ensure the treatment at the initial stage of virus attack, all suspected people found with probable Swine flu symptoms should be administered tamiflu at the primary health centers, without waiting for a confirmation report from the test lab.
Gehlot also instructed to start a comprehensive vaccination campaign for people with higher risk of swine flu such as pregnant women, children, old people and patients with COPD, asthma, heart, liver and chronic diseases such as kidney disease, diabetes and cancer. He also directed to arrange swine flu testing facility at district level.
Gehlot has given instructions for the control and prevention of swine flu in the state as more than 20 people have succumbed during last week due to swine flu, while more than 500 new patients of swine flu have been found during the period. So far, in the month of January, 72 people have been died and 1,856 people have been tested positive for swine flu in the state. Last year, in 2018, Rajasthan recorded 221 deaths and 2,375 patients of swine flu in Rajasthan.
THE CAMPAIGN
CM instructed to start a comprehensive vaccination campaign for people with higher risk of swine flu such as pregnant women, children, old people and patients with COPD, asthma, heart, liver and chronic diseases such as kidney disease.
