Amid the reports of outbreak of H1N1 influenza (bird flu) in different parts in the country, the Odisha Government has asked the Chief District Medical Officers (CDMOs) to remain alert and prepared to deal with the situation.
“In view of the coming transmission season and behaviour of Influenza A H1N1 in recent past, the health administration needs to remain prepared in terms of infrastructure, logistics and trained personnel,” said Health Secretary Arti Ahuja in a letter to the CDMOs.
During the year 2015, it was observed that a large number of death cases were reported across the country due to seasonal influenza which was more than the number recorded during the time of pandemic, said Ahuja.
A total of 75 cases with 13 deaths were reported in Odisha in 2015 while in the year 2016, only one case has been reported so far, she added.
In another letter, the Health Secretary asked the CDMOs to take steps to eliminate vector-borne disease dengue.