1st suspected case in the state is a Himmatnagar girl, 11, who flew into A’bad from America.
The pandemic that has unnerved the world may have Gujarat in its grasp now — the state identified its first suspected case of swine flu, on Tuesday night. An 11-year-old girl from Himmatnagar who flew into Ahmedabad from the US, on Sunday, is believed to have contracted the flu.
The girl had been travelling from the American state of Michigan along with her parents. Michigan has so far recorded over 400 cases (confirmed and suspected) of swine flu. Sources in the state health department said that the girl was suffering from cold and had been put under observation in an isolation ward at the Himmatnagar civil hospital.
The girl’s family, including her parents and brother, are being kept in another room.
The chief district health officer, Dr HS Patel, said that the girl’s pediatrician, Dr Atul Nail, had informed the authorities about the suspected case. “On Tuesday, the girl’s family took her to Dr Naik because she was suffering from cold, cough, and a bit of fever,” said Patel. “He then called us because he suspected that the child might be suffering from swine flu.”
Apart from the symptoms, the fact that the child had returned from Michigan made the health officials extra cautious, Patel said. He said that the girl was doing fine and her blood samples had been sent to the National Institute of Communicable Diseases in Delhi, on Wednesday.
According to the sources at Ahmedabad’s civil hospital, Asarva, the hospital had sent its rapid rescue team consisting of a pediatrician, physician, pathologist, and a member of the department of medicine to Himmatnagar, on Tuesday.
The team took some samples from the girl and visited her again on Wednesday to monitor her status, a source said. He said that the girl’s parents and her brother had no symptoms of swine flu.
Dos & Don’tsAvoid crowded places or close contact with sick people. Keep at least an arm’s distance from people with symptoms such as cough, running nose, sneezing and fever.
Do not shake hands, hug or kiss socially. Do not spit outdoors. Cover nose and mouth with tissue when coughing or sneezing. Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth.
Wash hands often, with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze.
Stay home for 7 days after symptoms appear or until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer. Most important, do not panic and follow your doc’s advice scrupulously.
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