Take immediate steps to arrest swine flu spread: CM to officials

Following reports of swine flu cases in some districts in the State, Chief Minister K Rosaiah on Monday directed Health Minister, Special Chief Secretary and other officials to constantly monitor the situation, particularly in the rural areas and take all necessary steps to detect and treat the patients.

Mr Rosaiah, before leaving for Delhi to attend the Chief Ministers' meet convened by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, discussed the latest situation with Minister for Health, Family Welfare and Hospital Services, D Nagendar, Special Chief Secretary, Health, J Satyanarayana, Secretary, Health, Dr PV Ramesh and other officials.

The Chief Minister directed that sufficient stocks of medicines should be made available in all over the State, particularly in the District Hospitals and Primary Health Centres.

Mr Rosaiah called upon the people not to panic and contact the nearest hospital or doctor in case of swine flu symptoms.

The Chief Minister told officials that there are reports of swine flu in the districts of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam.

He said since the disease reportedly spreads through air, immediate action should be initiated to contain the disease.

The Chief Minister reminded the officials how the spread of swine flu was contained in Hyderabad more than a year ago, when all preventive steps were initiated and awareness campaign taken up on a massive scale.

Mr Rosaiah directed that if need be all those steps should be initiated in the districts from where swine flu is reported. He said Major hospitals should be sensitised and isolated wards with ventilators should be kept ready.