Meghalaya sounds alert over swine flu outbreak

Meghalaya sounds alert over swine flu outbreak

2 cases identified

A CORRESPONDENT

SHILLONG: The State’s Health Department has urged officials to stay alert against the possible outbreak of swine flu (H1N1 virus) in the State. The Health Department stated that it has detected two cases of H1N1 in Shillong.

In a letter to various hospitals in the State and also the District Medical and Health Officers (DMHOs) in the districts, the Director of Health Services (DHS), Dr LM Pdah directed all officials concerned to stay alert and take preventive measures to contain the disease and prevent an outbreak. According to the DHS, two women – one a resident of Shillong and another who is on a visit to the city — have tested positive. The first woman has been identified as Rehana Khurshid (58) of Arbutnot Road, Shillong. “She was admitted on October 17 at a private hospital in Shillong with symptoms of fever, cough, weakness, respiratory distress after visiting her son in Pune,” the State Health Department stated.

According to the DHS, as per PCR lab investigation (Xpert Flu Assay), the patient was tested positive for “Influenza A”. The patient arrived at Guwahati airport on October 15. The second patient Dr Naomi Gonslaves (29) of Mumbai, had visited Shillong to attend a Catholic Convention on October 18, but was admitted on October 24 at a private hospital after developing symptoms of fever, weakness, headache and subsequently tested for H1N1. “Samples of both patients were sent to designated Lab at NEIGRIHMS and reports are awaited,” Dr Pdah said.

The State government has also alerted the Airport Authority of India officials in Guwahati international airport, Shillong airport and the managing director of Meghalaya helicopter services.

Top Headlines

No stories found.
Sentinel Assam
www.sentinelassam.com