In a bid to control the mortality and morbidity from H1N1 (swine flu), the Punjab Government today directed all civil surgeons to establish ‘flu corners’ in the Government hospitals in the state so that patients having cough, cold and fever would immediately report at these dedicated corners.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Brahm Mohindra said in the past few days, some suspected cases of Influenza A H1N1 have been reported in summers which is not normal and usual trend. In 2017, around 278 suspected cases of swine flu have been reported and out of these 75 cases have been found positive. Out of these confirmed cases, 15 patients have died. He said cause of deaths of these patients will be ascertained after reviewing the medical records by experts of the Department in consultation of PGIMER.

It was informed that the patients indulge in self medication and do not report to hospitals well in time due to this the chances of complications increase. Mr Mohindra said keeping the view, the department has identified 277 isolation beds in government medical colleges, district and sub divisional hospitals and 268 beds have been identified in private hospitals as well. He said a designated nodal officer would be deputed to assure the immediate health facilities to the suspected patient of swine flu in all districts and the Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) are already established for quick action in all districts. He said ‘swine flu’ is a droplet infection in which the virus spreads from one person to another after sneezing, coughing or using soiled handkerchiefs and other articles.

The infection spreads from one person to other if personal protection is not used by the patient and patient sneezes or coughs in open. The persons who are adults and more than the age of 65 years, children less than 5 years, pregnant women, patients on immunosuppressants have higher chances of getting effected with swine flu.