Vasai civic body takes action to quell local swine flu scare
Vasai Virar Municipal Corporation screens hospital staff, surveys neighbourhood for H1N1 after patient admitted in normal ward tests positive for swine flu
In a case that once again highlights the need for precautionary care, hospital staff and other patients at two private hospitals in Vasai were exposed to the risk of contracting the H1N1 virus after a patient admitted in a normal ward was later diagnosed with swine flu.
The patient, Veena Ravi Purohit, returned from a tri p to Gujarat with a persistent fever and was initially admitted at Evershine Hospital, Vasai East. Later, when the 48-year-old complained of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), she was moved to Cardinal Gracias Memorial Hospital, Vasai West, again in the general ward. “However, the swine flu reports returned positive, and she was shifted Seven Hills Hospital for treatment in the isolation ward,” said Dr Ramesh Prajapathi, Medical Officer Health, Vasai Virar Municipal Corporation (VVMC).
The VVMC was intimated by the Vasai hospitals on Monday about the swine flu case as mandated by the government agencies. Immediately, an emergency protocol to screen the hospital staff was initiated.
Family members of the patient have also been asked to visit the Dr DM Pethit Hospital for the tests. Civic officials were concerned that if the family was affected, it could lead to transmission in the neighbourhood.
Health department officials from Navghar Primary Health Centre also conducted a survey in the immediate neighbourhood of the patient, a Vasai East resident, to rule out transmission.
Satish Lokhande, Civic Commissioner, VVMC, said, “Our teams are screening the hospital staffers to make sure that they have not contracted the virus. We are awaiting the test reports. Patients who were kept with the H1N1 affected patient, too, would be checked to curb further transmission.”
“We have asked the health department to inquire into the incident. A patient suspected to be suffering with the H1N1 virus should have been kept in the isolation ward, besides other precautionary measures being taken,” he said.
A spokesperson from Cardinal Gracias Memorial Hospital confirmed the incident.
“We have referred the patient to Seven Hills Hospital for further treatment, and have ensured that precautionary measures are taken while dealing with patients suffering with deadly viruses.”