Health experts stressed to adopt preventive measures against influenza “A”

Lahore: A high level meeting was held under the chairmanship of Secretary Health Punjab Dr. Ijaz Munir at Civil Secretariat here today to review the situation of H1N1 influenza “A” in Punjab.

Special Secretary Health Farasat Iqbal, Secretary Livestock Dr. Ijaz, DG Health Dr. Zahid Pervaiz, Prof. of Epidemiology Dr. Farkhanda Kokab, Dean Institute of Public Health Prof. Muaz Ahmed, DG PITB Ch. Muhammad Omer, Prof. of Medicines of King Edward Medical University Dr. Irshad Ahmed, Additional Secretary Health (Technical) Dr. Salman Shahid, WHOs Operational Officer Dr. Babar Alam and other officers attended the meeting.

Dr. Babar Alam informed the meeting that the cases of influenza reported in Punjab, were not of swine flu but of H1N1 influenza “A”, also known as seasonal flu.

Director General Health informed that necessary guidelines according to the instructions of WHO and SOPs for diagnosis and treatment of influenza “A” patients have been circulated to all the public sector hospitals and health institutions. He further informed that sufficient stock of tamiflu tablets is available in Health Department and this medicine has also been provided to the hospitals.

Moreover, isolation wards also been set up in government hospitals. Additional Director Epidemic, Response and Control Dr. Jaffar Ilyas informed the meeting that at present no confirm patient of H1N1 influenza is under treatment in government hospitals. He further informed that unfortunately 9 deaths have been reported due to H1N1 influenza but after 5^th April no death has been reported due to this virus.

Secretary Livestock informed that experts of Livestock Department had collected random samples from poultry farms of Multan, Lahore and other districts but all the samples were proved as negative. The health experts stressed the need to adopt preventive measures against influenza “A”.

Prof. of Epidemiology Dr. Farkhanda Kokab said that patients of common flu should also use handkerchief and tissue papers while sneezing and refrain from going to public places.

Secretary Health directed the officers of the department to launch special awareness campaign against H1N1 influenza “A” and other measures should be taken for early control of the disease. He also said that doctors and nurses should adopt preventive measures while examining / treatment of the patients according to the guidelines provided by the department.