Swine Flu resurfaces in HP

A 55 year old woman from Mandi district in Himachal Pradesh was today reported positive for Swine Flu at Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) hospital here. It's the first case of H1N1 reported in Himachal Pradesh this year.

"The 55 year old patient has been admitted to the Swine Flu isolation ward in IGMC," Medical Superintendent at the hospital MS Rana said. Rana said all such cases with fever were being screened for Swine Flu in the hospital for few some weeks.

The patient hails from Sarkaghat and was referred to IGMC with high grade fever and chest congestion two days back. According to sources, the state surveillance unit had already sounded an alert in Himachal Pradesh in the wake of Swine Flu cases in Maharashtra.

Sources said the directions had been issued to all the chief medical officers (CMOs) and medical colleges to be vigilant and test all influenza like cases for Swine Flu.

"All districts have enough stocks of medicines, protective equipment and masks as we were fully prepared to handle any such situation. There is no need to panick," said state epidemiologist cum state surveillance officer. Dr Omesh Kumar Bharti.

He said the district rapid response team has already been directed to track down the history and contacts of the Swine Flu patient and give preventive medicines to her close contacts in the village.

Some cases of Swine Flu were reported in Himachal last year also. According to experts the Swine Flu generally occurs in winter months, but sporadic cases across the country in summers is a cause of surprise.