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Swine flu situation under control, says PMC chief medical officer

PMC is conducting awareness programmes in schools, residential societies and also through social media platforms.

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PMC is conducting awareness programmes in schools, residential societies and also through social media platforms.
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Swine flu has claimed 15 lives in the city, yet Pune Municipal Corporation's chief medical officer, ST Pardeshi says that the situation is under control. Speaking to Iamin, he explains various measures undertaken by the civic body to prevent a repeat of the swine flu pandemic in 2009.

What is the current status of swine flu outbreak in Pune?
The H1N1 virus has already spread to various parts of Maharashtra. Keeping that in mind, PMC has taken various steps to ensure that the situation does not go out of hand. We are conducting awareness programmes in schools, residential societies and also through social media platforms.

Is there a shortage of antiviral medicines to treat H1N1?
There is a scarcity of swine flu drugs, within the state on a whole. Maharashtra government should have taken ample precautions by keeping adequate stock ready for such medical emergencies. But, fortunately, despite the surge in demand, Pune is not suffering from a shortage and the treatment of swine flu patients has not been hampered.

At present, National Institute of Virology is the only institute, which is sampling and testing all H1N1 cases. Do you think that is enough, especially when the number of cases is fast rising?

NIV is well-equipped to handle all the cases that come to them. There has been no delay in the testing of samples sent to the institute till date and the results are usually out within a day. For now I do not think that the centre is facing any man-power crunch.

According to certain media reports, there were additional swine flu symptoms that people can look out for. Can you elaborate on them?
NIV is continuously studying the virus strain and will publicly convey any new development related to the same. Right now, citizens must be aware of basic symptoms like headache, fever, sore throat and body ache. If anyone is persistently showing any of these symptoms, he or she must get a test done immediately.

For the longer version of the interview, click here

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