An unofficial medical emergency has been sounded in both Guntur and Prakasam districts following a spurt in swine flu cases.
SK Mastanvali (27) from Vemsuru village of Santamaguluru mandal in Prakasam district died of swine flu about 25 days back while undergoing treatment in Hyderabad. “As per directives of higher-ups, we have collected the blood samples of all the family members of Mastanvali and his neighbours at Vemsuru,” Prakasam district medical health officer Dr K Sudhakar Babu said.
One can comprehend the severity of the situation by looking at the measures taken by the medical and health department.
Recently, health officials detected three suspected swine flu cases in Guntur. Following this, the authorities launched an awareness programme on the deadly disease in both the districts. Swine flu monitoring committees began campaigns on the spread of the virus and officials have decided to conduct medical camps till November 9.
Leave applications of all medical officials have been rejected and those who went on leave were asked to join duties immediately.
District collectors of Guntur and Prakasam, S Suresh Kumar and Anita Rajendra respectively, held review meetings with the medical and health department authorities two days ago. They directed them to take all necessary precautions on a war-footing basis to check the spread of dengue, swine flu and other seasonal diseases.
Suresh Kumar ordered the medical officials to set up a special ward in the government fever hospital on Amaravathi road and provide treatment to suspected H1N1 patients.
However, Guntur DMHO Dr M Gopinaik said that so far, no case of the disease has been reported in the district.
More than 15 NGOs, including Lions Club and Rotary Club, are taking part in the special drive to check seasonal diseases. More than 50,000 homeopathy pills medicine have been distributed in the slums.