21 cases of Swine Flu cases in Assam so far, confirms NHM Director

Guwahati, March 6, 2019:

Director of National Health Mission, Dr. Umesh Phangsu on Wednesday confirmed that a total of 21 cases of H1N1 virus (Swine Flu) have been registered in Assam as of now.

Speaking to InsideNE, Dr. Phangsu said, “As of now, 21 cases of H1N1 have been registered so far in Assam, 18 cases from Kamrup, one from Goalpara, one from Karbi Anglong and one from Nagaon. H1N1 is a viral disease that transmits often in this season and it is is also called ‘Droplet Infection’. ‘Pan Endemic H1N1’ spreads through coughing and other easy modes. The other kind is the seasonal H1N1 for which the symptoms are cold and cough. So if the H1N1is to be tested, the doctors should observe the patient very carefully. The H1N1 is tested in three categories: A, B and C. In general, category C patients suffer the problems breathing and chest pain.”

“As of now, Downtown Hospital has contacted me in a suspected case of H1N1 seeking Viral Transport Media (VTM) for the test. This test is done in two places of Assam: Gauhati Medical College and Hospital and Dibrugarh Medical Research Centre or ICMR, Lakowal. We send the samples to these two places,” he added.

Moreover, he informed that last year the number of H1N1 cases was zero, but this year 21 positive cases have been registered so far.