Meerut: The number of people who have tested positive for swine flu rose to 56 in Meerut on Sunday, the highest in Uttar Pradesh. One of the patients is a Chinese national.With Meerut continuing to have the maximum number of H1N1 virus cases, the health department has stepped up efforts to create awareness about this highly contagious air-borne infection that spreads when a patient so much as sneezes releasing the virus in droplets into the air. It is conducting regular awareness camps and surveys in areas where people have been detected with suffering from swine flu.In addition, the authorities have now issued instructions for the ‘high-risk group’ patients. This group includes infants, the elderly, pregnant women and people with a prolonged respiratory disease.Authorities have also issued instructions for the families dealing with swine flu patients.“As many as 56 people have been tested positive for swine flu in Meerut, including a Chinese national who has been living in Meerut for the last one year. A team is yet to meet him and check his travel history to see how he contracted the disease,” said Dr Raj Kumar, Meerut chief medical officer.“If any person is detected with swine flu, only one person in his/her family should engage in the treatment so as to avoid the entire family from contracting the infection. Also, one should use a mask when around a swine flu patient. Cleanliness around the patient should also be taken care of,” said Dr Rachna Tandon, Meerut district epidemiologist.Active case finding is being done in the areas where swine flu cases have come to light. The standard protocol to tackle swine flu is that once a case is reported, the health authorities conduct a case mapping and at least 50 houses situated in proximity of the patient’s house are surveyed and checked in case anyone else has contracted the virus.

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