Two cases of H1N1 (swine flu) have been detected at Shillong in Meghalaya. Confirming the detection of two cases, the state health department has directed the officials concerned to stay alert and take preventive measures to contain the disease and prevent any outbreak.
Meghalaya Health department officials said both the cases were detected recently in Shillong.
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The first case involves a 58-year-old woman. Rehana Khurshid of Arbutnot, Shillong was admitted to a private hospital here on October 17 with symptoms of fever, cough, weakness, respiratory distress after visiting her son at Pune.
Khurshid arrived at Guwahati Airport on October 15 and she was admitted to a hospital in Shillong on October 17 when she complained of fever and weakness.
As per PCR lab investigation (Expert Flu Assay), the patient was tested positive for Influenza ‘A’, a health department official said. She is presently on ventilator in TB hospital.
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The second patient is 29-year-old Naomi Conslaves from Mumbai. The patient visited Shillong on October 18 along with her mother to attend a Catholic Convention.
After developing symptoms of fever, weakness, headache, she along with her mother were both admitted to Nazareth Hospital here. While the daughter, Dr Naomi was tested positive for H1N1, her mother is still under observation.
Hospital sources said the condition of the patient is improving she is being put in isolation.
Samples of both patients have been sent to designated lab at NEIGRIHMS, Shillong and reports are awaited.
Meanwhile, Health and Family Welfare Minister, AL Hek told reporters on Saturday that the department is fully aware of the situation and has taken all precautions to prevent any outbreak. “We are ready to face all the challenges,” said Hek.
Furthermore, he informed that the Airport Authority of India (AAI) has been alerted in this regard given the fact that both the patients, who contracted the disease, came from outside the state.