Govind Sharma
JAMMU, Feb 25: A 44-year-old man late last night died of suspected swine flu in Isolation Ward of Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Jammu, taking the toll in Jammu division to two while three more persons were today tested positive for dreaded H1N1.
“A man identified as Raj Kumar, a resident of Jammu, died in the hospital late last night. He was admitted in the isolation ward of the hospital on the same day in a very critical condition,” Dr RR Pal, Medical Superintendent, GMCH told EXCELSIOR.
He said that the test report of the deceased was still awaited.
However, three persons were today tested positive for swine flu in Jammu while a senior doctor who was admitted yesterday in Isolation Ward of Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Jammu with severe swine flu symptoms is stated to be in critical condition.
“A total of 11 reports were received today by Health Department out of which three turned out to be positive”, Director Health, Jammu, BS Pathania told EXCELSIOR. He further revealed that 21 more samples were today sent for testing to New Delhi by the department.
“There is nothing to panic, but we are taking all precautions. Tamiflu and N-95 masks, as well as vaccines are available in required quantity,” Dr Pathania said. “Moreover, Tamiflu tablets and vaccines are now available in open market at some selected drug stores”, he added.
He further revealed that the department has authorized two private labs–Dr Lal Path Lab and SRL Diagnostics to conduct tests of swine flu in the State.
Meanwhile, the officials in the GMCH informed that one more patient with swine flu symptoms was admitted to Isolation Ward of GMCH taking the total no of admitted patients to 25. “Among these patients, Dr Bhupinder Singh, a senior pediatrician posted at a Government Hospital in tehsil Bishnah in Samba district, who was admitted only yesterday, is in critical condition and put on ventilator.”, they added.
With increasing panic of swine flu in Jammu and doctors stressing people should wear masks to avoid the dreaded viral disease, chemist stores in this winter capital of the State have started selling masks at exorbitant rates.
As per survey of the market done by EXCELSIOR, masks that cost mere Rs 5 and Rs 100 were being sold at Rs 20 and Rs 120-240, respectively. As the demand of the masks is on rise and the supply is short, most of the chemist shops are short of these masks and those who have some stock left are selling them on exorbitant rates.
During the survey it was found that a routine mask which costs Rs 5 was being sold on different rates by different chemists while N-95 masks were also sold on different prices ranging from Rs 120 to Rs 240.
Every shopkeeper had his own reasons for prices of these masks. While some said that the costs of the masks differ with brand, others cited reasons of quality difference.
When contacted Deputy Director, Drug Controller, Jammu, Lotika Sharma said since masks are not drugs, they did not fall in their domain of work. “However since the masks are being sold in chemist shops, we have issued warnings to drug retailers not to charge excess from the consumers”, she added.
“There are two different types of face masks to prevent influenza. The first is a one-layered ‘routine mask’ while the other is the ‘N-95’ specially made for H1N1 patients and medical teams which monitor the patients. “However, due to the epidemic and the panicky situation, people have started opting for the N-95 face mask, which are short in supply due to high demand. Taking advantage of this situation shopkeepers are selling them on exorbitant rates,” Dr Sanjeev Gupta, nodal officer for swine flu at GMCH told EXCELSIOR.
“The routine mask is of a lower capacity and can control if the infected person is 1-1.5 metres away,” Dr Sanjeev said. However, the routine mask if used properly can also be very effective in preventing the viral disease, he added.
Meanwhile in GMCH, nurses, paramedical staff and safai karamcharis suspended work in casualty and wards for about two hours and went on strike demanding N-95 masks for them. However, after assurances from Medical Superintendent, GMCH, Dr RR Pal, they suspended strike and resumed their work.
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