Swine flu cases touch 169 in Meerut, highest in UP

MEERUT: The number of swine flu cases has reached 169 in Meerut district on Sunday, the highest in UP so far. The health department is on its toes to conduct awareness campaigns about the disease, which is increasing almost every day here.
“The number of swine flu cases in Meerut has reached 169 on Sunday. We are continuously keeping a tab on the cases here and spreading awareness about the disease.In fact, in a new set of advisory from the state government authorities, instructions have been given to ensure that only Category C patients are tested for the disease,” said Dr Raj Kumar, Meerut chief medical officer.
According to the advisory of the health department, Category C patients include those with symptoms of breathlessness, headache, drowsiness, low blood pressure, blood in cough, blue nails or increase in seriousness of an old and ongoing disease. The advisory issued by the health department states that these category of patients should get tested for swine flu and take medical advice if tested positive so as to follow proper regime of medicines.
Category A includes patients with symptoms of mild fever, cough, body ache, head ache and loose motion – who do not need to get tested for swine flu and can be cured by resting at home.
Category B patients include those with high fever and all other symptoms of Category A. These people, too, need not be tested for swine flu but can consume Tamiflu medicine after medical advice.
Surveillance is being done in the areas where swine flu cases have surfaced to detect more cases. Then awareness camps are also being set up so that people in those areas can exercise caution. Also, epidemiological study and travel history of patients is being checked so that the district surveillance is done, the health department authorities said.