Swine flu: Arunachal Pradesh sounds red alert; prohibits sale of pork

In view of the outbreak of swine flu in the country, Arunachal Pradesh government has sounded a red alert and has temporarily prohibited sale of pork as a precautionary measure. Official sources today said all hospitals have been asked to be ready for tackling any eventualities. There has, however, been no incidence of the disease in the state, the sources said.

State Chief Secretary Ramesh Negi convened an emergency meeting with Health & Family Welfare secretary, the director of health services, director of medical education, state surveillance officer and epidemiologist and directed that necessary arrangements for medicines and laboratory confirmation of cases, if any, should be done on a war footing. It was further decided to temporarily prohibit sale of pork in the state as a precautionary measure and accordingly, necessary instruction has been passed to all deputy commissioners, state surveillance officer L Jampa said. The health directorate is following the revised guidelines issued by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, he said.

All district surveillance officers and epidemiologists have been sensitised in this matter, he said, adding, the department of health services has submitted a proposal to the state government for procurement of drugs (Oseltamivir), masks, among other things on Monday which is expected to be received within ten days. The required drugs that were procured during the outbreak of the disease in 2009 had expired last year, he said.