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Government to probe swine flu deaths

BHUBANESWAR: A fortnight after eight deaths were reported of Swine Flu in Orissa, the State government on Monday announced there would be thorough examination of medical practices followed by hospitals to treat patients who died of the deadly disease.

A technical committee that was set up to deal with issues relating to Swine Flu outbreak would come out with a report within a week that if doctors neglected the treatment.

The probe assumed significance in the wake of allegations that private hospitals reportedly reacted late to the situation while treating H1N1-affected patients. Of eight, six deaths had occurred in private hospitals.

Addressing a press conference, the State Health and Family Welfare Minister Prasanna Acharya said in some cases patients came late and in some cases the treatment was delayed.

It was alleged that Tami-flu was not administered in time as a result of which a few deaths occurred.

The State government also warned that individual schools cannot compel its students to wear masks. If one is not sick he or she does not have to wear a mask, said health officials here.

People, who take care for a sick person or in close contact with ill persons, can wear a mask. If a person is sick, he has to wear mask, they said.

The Health Minister sought to clear the confusion over the availability of H1N1 vaccines saying 1,55,000 Vaxiflu-S doses reached the State in five phases. “Now demand has been stabilised. In fact, the demand for vaccine is going downward,” Mr. Acharya said. Chemists from different districts had sent indents of 1,50,000 doses.

From now on the State government would regulate 50 per cent of vaccine supply while 50 per cent would be supplied to open market.

The Health Minister said another vaccine Influvac which would cost Rs. 650 per dose had reached the market. The vaccine could be effective to tackle H1N1, H3N2 and Influenza-B.

Meanwhile, as many as 39 persons have tested H1N1 positive. About 103 swabs came for testing to Regional Medical Research Centre where only testing facility is available. One of the positive cases was reported from Keonjhar.

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