GURGAON: The health department on Tuesday directed all districts to focus on high-risk groups in the wake of the rise in seasonal influenza cases caused by virus subtypes H3N2 and H1N1 in the region. All government health facilities across the state have been directed to ensure that enough ventilators and trained staff are available.
They have also been told to ensure availability of medicines like oseltamivir and cough syrup, along with PPE kits, N95 masks and reagent kits. The health department has further asked them to closely follow the trend of influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) in all areas.
High-risk groups include the elderly, people with obesity and other comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetics, cardiovascular diseases, chronic renal and liver disease) and pregnant women. Districts have been told to focus on ILI/SARI cases in these groups, who may suffer from a more severe manifestation of these infection and may require hospitalisation.
"Enhance awareness activities and raise community awareness regarding adherence to respiratory and hand hygiene (like covering one's mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, avoiding spitting in public places, preferably using face masks in crowded environments, frequent hand washing) and also promote the early reporting of symptoms and limit contact of those people who are suffering from respiratory illness," read the directions from the director general (health services), Sonia Trikha.
Meanwhile, chief medical officer Virender Yadav said that people should avoid venturing out if they have fever and symptoms of influenza, including persistent cough, headache, sore throat, runny nose and shortness of breath.
They have also been told to ensure availability of medicines like oseltamivir and cough syrup, along with PPE kits, N95 masks and reagent kits. The health department has further asked them to closely follow the trend of influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) in all areas.
High-risk groups include the elderly, people with obesity and other comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetics, cardiovascular diseases, chronic renal and liver disease) and pregnant women. Districts have been told to focus on ILI/SARI cases in these groups, who may suffer from a more severe manifestation of these infection and may require hospitalisation.
"Enhance awareness activities and raise community awareness regarding adherence to respiratory and hand hygiene (like covering one's mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, avoiding spitting in public places, preferably using face masks in crowded environments, frequent hand washing) and also promote the early reporting of symptoms and limit contact of those people who are suffering from respiratory illness," read the directions from the director general (health services), Sonia Trikha.
Meanwhile, chief medical officer Virender Yadav said that people should avoid venturing out if they have fever and symptoms of influenza, including persistent cough, headache, sore throat, runny nose and shortness of breath.
H3N2 Influenza Symptoms, Treatment, and Safety Precautions
"We have already set up isolation and flu corners at government facilities and surveillance has been increased," he added.
Doctors suggested that patients wear masks to curb the spread of the infection, as it can lead to complications in people with comorbidities. Over the past few weeks, government hospitals have reported a rise of 30% in the number of cases of influenza, while private hospitals in the city reported a spike of 40%.
According to doctors, the region is seeing an increase in seasonal diseases, including viral infections like H3N2 influenza, due to the rapid shift in weather from cold to warmer temperatures.
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