Question : CASES OF SWINE FLU

(a) whether the World Health Organisation (WHO) has urged the countries to continue with the high surveillance of the Swine-Flu cases;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) the total number of cases of Swine- Flu reported and the number of persons cured or died of the pandemic during the last four months, State/UT-wise;

(d) the remedial action taken and the financial and technical assistance provided to the State Governments so far to check the pandemic, State/UT-wise;

(e) whether the Government proposes to review its policy and to issue fresh guidelines in view of the upcoming Commonwealth Games; and

(f) if so, the details thereof and further measures being contemplated to contain the pandemic?

MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI GHULAM NABI AZAD)

(a&b) Yes. WHO has clarified that the present H1N1 Influenza (swine Flu) is a real Pandemic and all member states should continue surveillance for H1N1 Influenza.

(c) The details are at Annexure.

(d) Government of India took a series of action to prevent / limit the spread of pandemic influenza A H1N1 and to mitigate its impact. Entry screening of passengers were carried out at 22 international airports. About 600 laboratory confirmed cases were detected through screening. This limited spread of the disease and gave three months time to put preparedness in place. surveillance to detect clusters of influenza like illness is being done through Integrated Disease Surveillance Project. Laboratory network has been strengthened. There are forty five laboratories (24 in Govt. Sector and 19 in Private Sector) testing the clinical samples. Government of India procured 40 million capsules of which 21 million have been given to the States/UTs which is also used for preventive chemoprophylaxis. Retail sale of Oseltamivir was allowed under Schedule X of Drugs & Cosmetic Act. Three Indian manufacturers of Vaccine are being supported to manufacture H1N1 vaccine. 1.5 million doses of vaccine have been imported to vaccinate health care workers. Funds were allocated for training of district level teams. IMA has been provided funds to train private practitioners. All States were requested to gear up the State machinery, open large number of screening centres and strengthen isolation facilities including critical care facilities at district level. A task force in the I&B Ministry is implementing the media plan. Travel advisory, do’s and don’ts and other pertinent information has been widely published to create awareness among public. All such information is also available on the website: http://mohfw-h1n1.nic.in.

(e)&(f). Government has taken action in the context of H1N1 pandemic for mass gathering events such as Haj pilgrimage, Kumbh Mela at Haridwar and Sabrimala pilgrimage in Kerala. The same policy and guidelines for mass gathering events would follow for Commonwealth Games.