Swine flu losing its severity: TS Govt

The Telangana Government on Thursday claimed that the Swine flu virus has weakened and its severity has come down from 2009 to 2014.

In the current year, from 1st to 28th January, as many as 1,398 samples were tested. Of them, 509 were found to be positive. The number of deaths because of other complications and Swineflu are 21. On Wednesday, a total of 101 samples were tested. Of them, 42 are found positive.

"As seen from the Statistics from 2009 onwards, virus has weakened and its severity has come down. In the year 2009 to 2014, the fatality rate (No. of deaths out of positive cases) was in the range of 7% to 10%. In the current year from 1st January onwards till nth January 2015, it is 4%, " the Principal Secretary of Medical and Health Department said.

The citizens have been advised not to feel panic about the Swineflu. However, they are advised to take precaution such as reporting to the hospital on the first symptoms of Swineflu like High Fever, Sneezing cough and body pains. Citizens are also advised to avoid going to crowded places, clean their hands as frequently as possible, avoid hand shaking. cover nose/mouth while sneezing and cough.

Hospitals too have been advised that as and when the patient comes with suspected symptoms of Swineflu, the patient should be medically examined and in case, it is a suspected case of Swineflu, the patient should be admitted, he should be isolated, Samples should be sent to IPM and treatment should be started. In case patient is not willing to get admitted in private hospital, it should be ensured that patient is shifted to Gandhi Hospital. The hospitals are also advised to take all the steps to isolate suspected cases of Swineflu in the hospitals.

Homeopathy doctors also have been advised that citizen can also take Homeo medicine as a preventive measure under guidance of Homeopathy Doctor. Medicine is available free of cost in Government Homeo Hospital, Ramanthapur and all AYUSH Dispensaries.