Question : Swine Flu

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) the number of cases of swine flu and attributable deaths reported in the country during each of the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise;

(b) whether the Government has reviewed the preparedness of the States/ UTs and adequacy of availability of drugs and vaccines to deal with the disease;

(c) if so, the details and the outcome thereof indicating the financial and technical assistance including drugs/vaccines provided to the States/UTs for prevention, diagnosis and treatment of swine flu State/ UT-wise; and

(d) the details of major schemes being implemented/proposed by the Government in this regard?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)
(a): The number of cases and deaths due to Seasonal Influenza H1N1 (swine flu) as reported by the States/UT during last three years, and current year is annexed.

(b): Health is a State subject; however, the Central Government has been closely monitoring the Seasonal Influenza (swine flu) situation and is in regular touch with the States on the issue and has taken following steps:

• Prior to the onset of Influenza season, the situation was reviewed by the Minister for Health and Family Welfare on 13th October, 2016 and 9th November, 2016. The situation was again reviewed on 18th August 2017 and on 1st December 2017.

• Regular Video conferences are being held with the nodal officers for H1N1 in high case reporting States and preparedness is being reviewed on regular basis. A Video conference by Secretary (HFW) with the Principal Secretaries of 11 States/UTs was held on 25.09.2017 and 23.11.2017.
• The situation of the Seasonal Influenza is also being regularly reviewed by the Joint Monitoring Group under the chairmanship of DGHS. Last meeting of this Expert group was held on 05/09/2017. The situation was also monitored at the level of Additional Secretary (Health) on 31.08.2017.

• To ensure wider availability and accessibility of Oseltamivir, the drug for treatment of Influenza has been put in Schedule H1 so that it can be sold by all licensed chemist under prescription.

(c) & (d): Under Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), funds are released to States/UTs as grant-in-aid (GIA) to perform surveillance and outbreak investigation activities with respect to epidemic prone diseases including Seasonal Influenza H1N1 (swine flu). 12 laboratories under Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) and 35 laboratories under Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) are providing diagnostic services for detection for Influenza virus to the states.

Following National Guidelines on Seasonal Influenza has been prepared and circulated to all States/UTs :
• Guidelines for Providing Home Care
• Clinical Management Protocol for Seasonal Influenza
• Guidelines on Risk Categorization
• Guidelines on use of masks for health care workers, patients and members of public

Vaccine Guidelines including composition of the vaccine is issued every year. For the current season, the guidelines were updated on 25.04.2017 and provided to the States. Training Workshops attended by Directors of Health Services and Directors of Medical Education of States were organized at New Delhi on 24.11.2016 and 30.01.2017.

The drug for seasonal influenza H1N1 (swine flu) “Oseltamivir” tablets and suspension are procured by States. However, in case of shortage of drug in the State, the same is also provided by Government of India.

To further strengthen and support the surveillance activities by the State, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare had deputed senior level Public Health Teams to Maharashtra, Gujarat, Kerala and Telangana in this year.