Muvattupuzha: The number of people suffering from H1N1 is increasing at an alarming rate in Kerala and the health department officials should be vigilant against it, Dr Amar Fettle, the state nodal officer for H1N1, has said.
Eight people had died due to H1N1 in March and April, while two people succumbed to the disease this month.
Only 18.9 per cent of the suspected H1N1 patients tested positive for the disease in January. In May, it became 41.9 per cent. Twenty-seven of the 45 people were confirmed to have the disease in the first 10 days of June.
Even after the disease was confirmed, effective treatment was not given, it is said. There was also alleged delay in administrating medicines to those who showed more than one symptom.
Based on the Dr Fettle's letter, the deputy director of health services has instructed the district medical officers and district surveillance officers to stay vigilant and take immediate steps to check the disease spread.
Symptoms of H1N1
Acute fever, cold, cough, body pain, throat pain, shivering, and fatigue are the symptoms of H1N1. Some may even complain of breathing trouble. If treatment is provided in the initial stages itself, H1N1 can be fully cured. Pregnant women, elderly people, and those from suffering from pressure and diabetes should be extra cautious.
55 infected in 5 months
As many as 55 people were confirmed to have the H1N1 disease in the past five months in Ernakulam district. The highest number of cases was reported in March, 17. However, no fresh cases were reported in June.
Other diseases too
The health department officials have also been asked to organise awareness programmes and to strictly follow the guidelines to stop the spread of contagious diseases.
With the monsoon setting in, other diseases including, Hepatitis A and fever, are being widely reported.
Most of number of cases are in Malappuram and Kozhikode districts. Cholera was reported in Wayanad. The health department has also issued instructions to speed up the steps to counter the spread of these diseases as well.
