Chandigarh: While swine flu cases are rising in Delhi, eight cases have been detected in neighbouring Haryana so far and the state is planning to start a helpline in each district.
"Eight cases of swine flu have so far been detected. However, the situation is fully under control and health department is geared up for surveillance, prevention, identification, testing, isolation and treatment of the cases," Haryana's Additional Chief Secretary, Health, Ram Niwas said on Sunday.
Niwas appealed to the people "not to panic as the swine flu virus is weaker this time and will end on its own by the end of the winter".
The Additional Chief Secretary was presiding over a meeting of civil surgeons of the state through video conferencing here.
He directed them to open a telephone helpline in their district so that people who want to know more about swine flu can get the information and they can take preventive measures.
He issued directions to all the Civil Surgeons regarding the management of swine flu, an official statement said.
They were directed to ensure immediate response for identification, testing, isolation and treatment of swine flu cases.
Ram Niwas said that all Civil Surgeons have been directed to have one isolation ward in their respective district hospitals and provide facility of ventilator because people suffering from swine flu complain of breathing problem.
Besides making available adequate stock of medicine Tamiflu, he also directed them to keep a close vigil on patients with symptoms of swine flu.
He also directed that school students be made aware about the symptoms of the flu.
40 swine flu cases have been detected in the national capital in January and it had claimed three lives till now.
Meanwhile, Ram Niwas said that all health workers will take a pledge on January 16 to work towards completely eliminating the heinous practice of female foeticide.
On January 22, Prime Minister Narender Modi will launch 'Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao' programme from Panipat and this function is being organised to create awareness and change the mindset of people towards the girl child, he said.
With Haryana infamous for its adverse sex ratio, the event is being organised at state level in all the Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Community Health Centres (CHCs) and District Hospitals of the state on January 16 at 11 A.M.
