'So far the virus is mild in the southern hemisphere including India but the point of worry is that it is a new virus and it may change and become violent. We have to be fully prepared,' Walia said.
By IANS, [RxPG]
New Delhi, June 9 - Delhi Health Minister Kiran Walia Tuesday said that 10 multi-disciplinary teams of experts had been set up to probe and confirm the outbreak of influenza A- infection in the Indian capital.
'Elaborate efforts have been made. Doctors and para-medical staff are being trained to handle the situation. Hospitals have been put on alert and their heads have been sensitised to handle the outbreak,' she said.
Two cases of swine flu have been reported in the capital. They are a 35-year-old man and his 60-year-old mother, who are on home quarantine.
Walia said three hospitals - the quarantine unit at the international airport, Ram Manohar Lohia hospital and the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan hospital - were fully functional for treating swine flu. Ten other hospitals were preparing themselves.
The minister said 10 million units of doses of Tamiflu drug were available and more quantities could be ordered, if needed.
'A National Institute of Communicable Diseases - team has been alerted for outbreak investigations. Doctors of government and private hospitals have been trained to handle the situation,' she added.
'So far the virus is mild in the southern hemisphere including India but the point of worry is that it is a new virus and it may change and become violent. We have to be fully prepared,' Walia said.
The minister said a round-the-clock toll free helpline 1075 had been started for people to seek information about the disease, the precautions to be taken and the hospitals where treatment was possible. She urged the people not to panic.
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