Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday (March 16) chaired a review meeting of the Health department at Mumbai’s Vidhan Bhavan to take stock of the state’s preparedness amid reports of Covid-19 and Influenza H3N2 cases. The meeting focussed on measures to prevent the spread of these viruses while also enabling the state’s health infrastructure to be geared up for the challenge. According to sources, an action plan to prevent the spread of these viral ailments was presented before the chief minister and his deputy at the meeting.
मुख्यमंत्री @mieknathshinde यांच्या अध्यक्षतेखाली विधानभवनात आयोजित बैठकीत इन्फल्युएंझा #H3N2 आजाराच्या संसर्गाविषयी आढावा घेण्यात आला. उपमुख्यमंत्री देवेंद्र फडणवीस, सार्वजनिक आरोग्यमंत्री डॉ. तानाजी सावंत, वैद्यकीय शिक्षण मंत्री गिरीश महाजन आदी मान्यवर उपस्थित होते. pic.twitter.com/oRkVscdoku
— CMO Maharashtra (@CMOMaharashtra) March 16, 2023
Also Read: Delhi Hospitals Witnessing Spike In H3N2 Virus Cases, Say Doctors: Report
CM Shinde directed health officials to hold public awareness campaigns to make people aware of these viruses and ensure that they abide by the necessary safety protocols. The CM said,
Influenza is caused by a virus. Early diagnosis helps in the treatment of this disease. Therefore, if symptoms develop, a patient should look to start timely treatment.
Deputy Chief Minister Fadnavis, Health Minister Dr Tanaji Sawant, Medical Education Minister Girish Mahajan and other officials were also present at the press briefing after the meeting.
The chief minister said patients down with this viral infection should not delay treatment and hospitals should keep enough beds ready while also ensuring that medicines are not in short supply.
The CM added,
Along with these measures, the help of private hospitals should also be taken so that there are no obstacles to the treatment of the affected people in the light of the protests by government employees (demanding restoration of the Old Pension Scheme). If needed, doctors and healthcare staff from private hospitals should be roped in for the treatment of patients.
Mr Fadnavis, meanwhile, suggested raising public awareness about the common symptoms of Covid-19 and H3N2 influenza and the precautionary measures to avoid infection.
Instructions were also given to the health department to provide all facilities to patients admitted at hospitals at the earliest while ensuring that the services are prompt and up-to-date.
According to data put out by the state Health department, a total of 119 cases of H3N2 and 324 cases of H1N1 were reported in Maharashtra between January 1 and March 15.
“Three deaths are reported from H1N1 infection whereas one was caused by the H3N2 virus,” the MHD stated in a release.
Earlier, on March 16, a 73-year-old man with comorbidities, who had tested positive for the H3N2 virus, died at a hospital in Pune’s Pimpri-Chinchwad.
According to Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation, the deceased had comorbidities — a condition in which a person is afflicted by more than one disease at the same time.
Amid a rise in H3N2 influenza virus cases in Maharashtra, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) earlier said 32 patients were admitted in Mumbai of whom 4 have been diagnosed with H3N2 and the remaining 28 with H1N1.hronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and atrial fibrillation (heart disease).
“All of the patients are currently in a stable condition,” the BMC said in a statement.
Seasonal influenza is an acute respiratory tract infection caused by 4 distinct types — Influenza A, B, C and D belonging to the Orthomyxoviridae family.
Among these types, Influenza A is the most common pathogen for humans.
Globally, influenza cases are typically seen to increase during certain months of the year. India usually witnesses two peaks of seasonal influenza: one from January to March and another one in the post-monsoon season.
According to the Union Health Ministry, the cases arising from seasonal influenza are expected to decline from March end.
Also Read: Not Many Influenza Cases But Will Conduct Early Screening: Delhi Health Minister
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
NDTV – Dettol have been working towards a clean and healthy India since 2014 via the Banega Swachh India initiative, which is helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. The campaign aims to highlight the inter-dependency of humans and the environment, and of humans on one another with the focus on One Health, One Planet, One Future – Leaving No One Behind. It stresses on the need to take care of, and consider, everyone’s health in India – especially vulnerable communities – the LGBTQ population, indigenous people, India’s different tribes, ethnic and linguistic minorities, people with disabilities, migrants, geographically remote populations, gender and sexual minorities. In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign will continue to raise awareness on the same along with focussing on the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children, fight malnutrition, mental wellbeing, self care, science and health, adolescent health & gender awareness. Along with the health of people, the campaign has realised the need to also take care of the health of the eco-system. Our environment is fragile due to human activity, which is not only over-exploiting available resources, but also generating immense pollution as a result of using and extracting those resources. The imbalance has also led to immense biodiversity loss that has caused one of the biggest threats to human survival – climate change. It has now been described as a “code red for humanity.” The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene. Banega Swasth India will also be taking forward the dream of Swasth Bharat, the campaign feels that only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and the country can become a Swasth or healthy India.
