Health Minister Phunzathang Tonsing today said that people of the state need not panic with the recent news about the spread of Swine Flu (H1N1) virus in the state. Replying to a calling attention motion on the issue move by MLA I Ibohalbi, Phunzathang said that not every person need to wear protective masks or vaccination as the virus can cause serious illness to only immune – compromise persons as well as those who are necessary to directly attend the patient such as para medics, nurses or the doctors.
Phunzathang further said that since the first case of swine flu was confirmed on March 5, the state health department has been taking every kind of precautionary measures for safety of the people. He said a total of 6 cases – 3 suspected and 3 positive cases have been confirmed so far. Out of this 2 had been expired and one positive case has been recovered and discharged. The other two suspected case are presently under home isolation treatment and another one is currently examining at RIMS.
The Health Minister further added that a committee comprising of the state health directorate , Community medicine department of both RIMS and JNIMS and other district hospital has been formed and the situation has been monitoring on daily basis.
While moving the calling attention motion MLA Dr. I Ibohalbi suggested the state health department authority to sent the sample to ICMR Dibrugarh, Assam for testing to the H1N1 virus as there is no fee requirement for the test. He said some people are facing lot of inconveniences as this sample are being sent to Ranbaxy SLR Mumbai for testing and beside charging rupees 5000 for testing people have to wait for 8 days to get the confirmation.
On his reply, the health Minister said he will look after the matter to sent the sample at ICMR Dibrugrah.
