Summary:
Meerut: The ongoing winter season has seen a spike in swine flu disease with 11 confirmed cases reported in January in Meerut, the highest in Uttar Pradesh.The second highest has been reported in Lucknow and Rae Bareilly with two cases each, followed by Gautambudh Nagar with one.According to the data provided by the health department, in Meerut, 24 cases were reported in 2018, out of which 18 alone were recorded in December. The data further reveals that three people have died in 2018, out of which two deaths occurred in December.Speaking to TOI, Meerut chief medical officer, Dr Raj Kumar Chaudhary, said, “Active case finding is being done in the areas where swine flu cases have been reported. Also, epidemiological study and travel history of patients is being checked so that the district surveillance is done.”He said that many hospitals in the district have reserved beds for swine flu patients and they have been asked to update the stock of medicines.“Eight beds in PL Sharma Hospital and 20 beds in Lala Lajpat Rai Memorial (LLRM) Medical College have been reserved for swine flu patients. Awareness camps are also being organised so that people in those areas can exercise caution. Also, the status of current existing stock of medicines has been asked for from the government hospitals, and if need be, a demand letter to procure more medicines will be sent to the state government authorities,” Chaudhary said..