Taking protective measures against swine flu in India

LAHORE, Pakistan – The government of Punjab in Pakistan is taking protective measures after cases of the swine flu in India have been reported, said a press handout released by official authorities.

India’s Punjab and Haryana provinces are under the grip of swine flu, with 51 deaths reported – 31 in Punjab and 20 in Haryana. At the Pakistani-Punjab borders, Pakistan officials are taking high measures to stop an outbreak from occurring on its side of the border.

The Pakistan provincial Advisor on Health Khawaja, Salman Rafique, has directed its citizens to take protective and precautionary measures in the province in view of the large number of swine flu cases and alleged deaths due to this virus in India.

He issued this directive today while presiding over a meeting at the Civil Secretariat regarding protective measures in Punjab in view of the swine flu cases in India. Attending the meeting were: the Secretary of Health Technical, Dr. Salman Shahid; Dean of the Institute of Public Health, Prof. Moaz Ahmed; the Additional Secretary of Livestock, Dr. Iqbal Shahid; Director of Health (CDC), Dr. Ahmed Afifi; Deputy Secretary of Medical Education, Dr. Nasir Shakir; Additional Director of Health, Dr. Abdul Razzaq; and a representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) Dr. Yahya.

Dr. Ahmed Afifi said that due to the swine flu cases reported in India, steps have been started according to standard operating procedures and guidelines of the Center for Disease Control (CDC) Atlanta and the WHO in the province. He further said that surveillance staff of all districts has been provided necessary training and awareness in Lahore, and Tami flu tablets used for the H1 N1 flu have been provided in abundance in all districts.