15 doctors down with swine flu, health dept directs city hospitals to take measures

Thu, Nov 5 06:10 AM

With 15 city doctors down with swine flu, the UT Health department has once again reminded hospitals to up their infection control measures within the premises to curtail the spread of infection.

In a latest letter from the department to the medical superintendents of PGI, GMCH, Sector 32 and GMSH, Sector 16, the health department has expressed concern over the rising cases and attached a copy of the guidelines to be followed by doctors and the paramedical staff while treating confirmed and suspected cases.

The first letter was written in September, followed by another a few days ago.

"Though the spread of infection among the hospital staff is a nationwide phenomenon, we have reminded the hospitals to check the spread of the H1N1 virus. The hospitals have so far co-operated with us but we are concerned with the rising number of doctors falling ill," said UT nodal officer for swine flu, H C Gera.

Resident doctors as well as senior faculty members at PGI and GMCH are reporting flu-like symptoms, and the H1N1 virus has travelled to families of medicos as a number of such cases have surfaced.

Meanwhile, two fresh samples were collected in the city on Wednesday, while the total number of positive patients has risen to 61 here.

Tips for doctors* Use personal protective equipment and triple-layered mask *All equipment used in the isolation ward should be disinfected after discharge of the patient * Wash hands frequently after examining patients * Follow guidelines after taking throat swab samples of suspected patients

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