Swine flu migrates to Assam

Assam has now recorded its first case of the deadly swine flu. However, this may be considered as a classic case of the fear of the inevitable. As people are fleeing from the 'swine flu capital of India' Pune, there has been a wide apprehension that many carriers of the flue might find its passage into various parts of the country. And the 1st case in Assam of a Pune law college student who has come to visit his sister in Guwahati reprimands our worst fears.

Laboratory tests confirmed that the college student, admitted to the isolation ward of the Mahendra Mohan Choudhury Hospital was afflicted with the A (H1N1) influenza. His samples were sent for testing at the Lahowal-based laboratory in Dirbugarh district and swine flu has been confirmed, revealed official sources.

Are you taking appropriate steps to counter swine flu menace?

The swine flu situation in India is scary, but I hope its under control. In the Guwahati case which you have mentioned Nabanita, the Health Department is trying to trace all those who have come into contact with the student and ensure their screening for the virus. The patient had been kept in the isolation ward of the Mahendra Mohan Choudhury Hospital (MMCH). This is the first of the 11 suspected cases of swine flu to test positive while the results of three others are awaited.

For your information, the Assam government has already trained 100 doctors to fight the disease. Moreover, adequate quantity of Tamiflu tablets has also being stocked in all 27 districts.