Adil Lateef
Srinagar, Dec 31: Medicos in Kashmir today advised people not to panic and urged them to take precautionary measures after a person suspected to be H1N1 positive died in a hospital here while Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar issued an advisory asking hospital authorities to adhere to “infection control measures” in case of suspected or known H1N1 patients.
A man admitted in Shri Maharaja Hari Singh (SMHS) Hospital died after he was tested positive of H1N1 and had developed Acute Respiratory Distress Sydrome on December 22, Medical Superintendent, Dr Nazir Chowdhary, told Excelsior. “The GMC Principal has issued a public advisory in this regard,” he said after being asked about the steps that have been taken by the medical authorities.
The GMC Principal also issued a circular, informing all Head of Departments/ HOUs/ Faculty Members and Medical Superintendents of Associated Hospitals that guidelines on infection control measures are to be followed by various departments of Associated Hospitals of GMC Srinagar in case of suspected or known H1N1 patients.
“Infection control measures would be targeted according to risk profiles as per guidelines. They are requested to adhere to the guidelines in their respective departments/sections in letter and spirit and in the best care of patient care,” the circular reads.
The guidelines that Principal GMC has asked hospitals to adhere to on Influenza A H1N1 have been issued by Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India.
Urging people not to panic, the medicos have asked people to adopt precautionary measures including vaccination. Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) president and H1N1 expert, Dr Nisar-ul-Hassan, said the H1N1 is now as good as any common virus and has become a seasonal flu. “This kind of death can occur anywhere in world,” he said, referring to the man’s death at SMHS Hospital.
Dr Nisar while cautioning people against nasal spray vaccination said that it is “ineffective” and recommended people to go for injectible vaccination only. “Only injectible vaccination is effective and young children, pregnant woman, elderly persons, health workers and doctors, people suffering from chronic diseases should go for this vaccination,” he said, adding: “Nasal spray vaccination is ineffective and I caution people against its use. Some doctors are misleading people by saying it is effective in curbing H1N1.”
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