Swine flu patient discharged from Cottage Hospital

NT NETWORK
Posted on 2009-06-19
PANAJI - The first and the only person who tested positive for Influenza A (H1N1) or swine flu was discharged from the Cottage Hospital at Chicalim on Wednesday after he was fully treated there for the disease and found to have been cured of it. The man was quarantined since June 10, after his sample tested positive for Influenza A.
Addressing a press conference this evening the nodal officer in the state for Influenza A (H1N1), Dr Rajendra Tamba, said that the person has been successfully treated and test on his latest sample has proved negative for the disease.
He also said that since the screening and tests began in the state the directorate of health services had collected six samples of persons (including the first case that was used as a mock trial of the system in the state as early as May 6) of who including the first case turned out negative for the disease while one case was positive.
He went on to add that at the moment there were no cases pending before any agency nor has any person been quarantined in the Chicalim Hospital, which was being used as the main centre for isolation, or asked to remain in quarantine at home.
The health official further said that chances of complication following contracting the disease and its spreading in Goa were rare as the diagnosis were being done at earliest and treatment given. He also said that state was fully equipped with machinery and medicine (Tamiflu – in suspension form also for paediatric use – to be used to treat the disease) to deal with the disease.
Dr Tamba also said that 30 of the 46 contacts of the person were traced and given prophylaxis, as per the guidelines of the health authorities, while the task of tracing others (11 passengers and 2 crew) was being done by Union government agencies and the Maharashtra surveillance unit was tracing two other passengers. He went on to add that the taxi driver who transported the first person found to have contracted swine flu could not be traced.
The health official further said that though the chances of people contracting the disease have lessened now there was possibility of second wave starting that could be more virulent and fatal, even as he stated that the virus could remain dormant for about a year and added that his surmise was based on the past experience of the health authorities.
As part of prevention of occurrence and spread of swine flu, he said that the people should report any case in which symptoms of the disease were found. He also said that all people with flu should observe respiratory etiquettes and remain away from any one who has flu. He also said that those people with flu should remain home and observe hygiene.
Replying to a question on how the situation would be dealt with when charters arrive during the tourist season, which would begin in a few months from now, he said a system would have to be set in place by that time in consultation with the tourism department, even as he said that it would be appropriate if the countries of their origin tested their citizens for prevalence of the disease, even as there was possibility of people landing in the state during incubation period without being detected.