Four individuals have tested positive for swine flu in Karnataka’s Shivamogga district. According to district health officials, two confirmed cases were identified yesterday in the district’s Hosanagara taluk. Another two people were confirmed to have contracted the flu a little over a week ago.
The district officials are now undertaking all surveillance efforts to ensure that the spread of the disease is contained and to identify any others who may be presenting with the flu.
The affected individuals have been identified as Vanajalakshmi (40), Hemavathi (39), and two children of the ages 6 and 7. All of them were taken to local hospitals and given treatment. They are doing significantly better and will be discharged soon.
“We just confirmed that two individuals presented with swine flu and are on the lookout for others who may be presenting with it as well,” says district surveillance officer (DSO) Dr BS Shankarappa to TNM. “We have instructed the Health department to be on high alert and are following three major points: suspect, isolate, and treat.”
The department is now conducting close inspection to determine how many others may have been affected by swine flu.
“We have a sufficient stock of Tamiflu capsules in different dosages, so there is no need to panic. All the general hospitals have been asked to maintain a separate ward for those who may be presenting with suspected swine flu. Isolation wards are a major cornerstone in preventive measures,” adds Dr Shankarappa. In addition, protective face masks are also being distributed in these areas.
Swine flu or H1N1, is caused by the influenza A virus. Symptoms of the flu include persistent fever, sore throat, cough, headache, nausea and vomiting.
Shivamogga was earlier under the lens this year after a number of cases of Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD) or ‘monkey fever’ were reported from the district. At least five individuals had succumbed to it in a period of a few months. It was later found that proper vaccination drives had not been held routinely, which played a major role in the outbreak.