Monday, August 10, 2009

Indian gov't may set up A/H1N1 flu war room

NEW DELHI, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) -- With the number of deaths due to A/H1N1 flu continuing to increase, Indian Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad Monday discussed with the Cabinet Secretary the possibility of setting up A/H1N1 war room.

Azad discussed with Cabinet Secretary K. M. Chandrasekhar the measures to deal with the situation arising out of the spread of the viral disease and to contain it from further spreading.

The meeting came soon after two more deaths due to new flu were reported in the country, adding the number of fatalities to six in the country so far.

A 35-year-old doctor died on Monday of the flu in Pune, western India, while a four-year-old boy lost his life due to the virus in Chennai, southern India.

Azad Monday advised state governments to set up separate Out Patient Departments (OPD) and wards in hospitals to screen and treat patients suffering from the deadly viral disease.

With spread of viral infection going up to more than 800, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has also asked the Health Ministry to co-ordinate with state governments efforts to contain further spread of the disease.

Singh asked Azad to take steps to remove misinformation and educate people about the disease.

Government sources said the prime minister told Azad to set up a panel of experts and doctors to spread correct information about the virus that causes the flu.

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