The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Outbreak of Swine Flu unlikely in the State

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Wednesday, Apr 29, 2009
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Outbreak of Swine Flu unlikely in the State

Ramya Kannan

Summer heat acts as a deterrent: Public Health Director

Those who have cold and watering of eyes and nose must use a towel or kerchief to blow into
Wash clothes used by infected person in hot water and dry them in sun before reusing them

CHENNAI: Allaying fears of a Swine Flu outbreak in the State, health authorities in Tamil Nadu have said that they have stocks of Tamiflu at hand for use if necessary.

Health Department officials say the heat of the summer in the State will be a deterrent to the spread of the virus. The problem that originated in Mexico and has moved to the United States and United Kingdom, is unlikely to affect Tamil Nadu.

“Our flu season is generally during September-October, when we get a flush of cases of various influenza infections,” S.Elango, Director, Public Health, has told The Hindu.

He bases his statement on 10 years’ data in the State, which indicates that flu-like symptoms (in epidemic proportions) are noticed during those two months. The severe heat of the summer months will make it difficult for the virus to survive, especially those that are transmitted through air, he explains.

Dr.Elango says the Directorate gets daily updates of disease outbreaks all over the State, including flu outbreaks.

In case such a trend is noticed, there are protocols to immediately contain the infection in that particular area and prevent its spread. The stockpile of medicines procured to fight avian flu continues to be available at district headquarters and can be used immediately.

Since, Swine Flu has reportedly spread to the U.S. and the international airports in the State do have a lot of traffic from there, he suggests monitoring units be set up at airports to screen passengers who show flu-like symptoms.

There are reports that the flu has a two-day incubation period after infection and, therefore, the symptoms are likely to manifest during a long-haul flight.

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