Kochi: Health department to augment preventive measures

KOCHI: With the cases of communicable diseases like H1N1 going up, the health department in Ernakulam district has initiated preventive measures with the officials planning to conduct classes at taluk level for doctors within the department as well as for those working in private hospitals and engaged in private practice.

The number of H1N1 cases reported from the district is 45 and the disease has claimed two lives so far this year. “With H1N1 becoming an endemic disease, at least 25% of influenza cases are said to be H1N1 cases. In most cases, the patient won’t develop many complications and it would be considered as common influenza. In some cases, especially in the case of those with comorbidity, H1N1 may turn fatal. So, such patients should be given special care and the treatment should be started immediately,” said Dr Amar Fettle, nodal officer, H1N1.

“We have issued treatment guidelines to the doctors including those in the private sector. As per the guidelines, there are three categories such as A, B and C. While A is a mild illness category, B category may require hospitalization. Those with comorbidity, pregnant women etc would fall into this category. The doctors shouldn’t wait for any test results for starting treatment. They should start treatment based on the category of the illness,” Fettle said. “Diagnostic tests are being conducted for surveillance purpose and not for treatment,” he said.

Dr N K Kuttappan, district medical officer, said that special programmes to sensitize doctors, both in private and public sector, had been rolled out. “Unlike in the previous year, medicines for the treatment of H1N1 is available in government as well as private hospitals. We are also conducting awareness programmes for the public,” Kuttappan said. District surveillance officer (DSO) and additional district medical officer Dr S Sreedevi said that they would soon be starting campaigns using all platforms including social media.

Over the years, there is a change in the seasons when H1N1 makes its appearance.

“A few years ago, the disease would be found during May to August in Kerala, while it would be found during the November-February period in North India. Now, there is no specific time for the disease. The virus causing H1N1 is fast changing its characters which are called drifting. Unlike mutation where the microbes undergo drastic changes in their characters, there would be only small changes which are called drifting,” said Fettle. “Now, H1N1 cases are being reported from across the country from August,” he said.

The district authorities have started organizing programmes to create awareness among the public on other communicable diseases like Nipah. It is through sneezing many of the communicable diseases including H1N1 spread from human to human. So, every person, whether he or she has the symptoms of any of the diseases, should cover the face while sneezing or coughing.