South Adm on toes after swine flu death
HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, AUG 3
With the city reporting the death of a migrant woman with H1N1, district Collector, South had an urgent meeting on Tuesday to review the situation and discuss ways and means for spreading awareness amongst the citizens.
The district authorities have appointed Margao Urban Health Officer Dr Geeta Kakodkar as the nodal officer for South Goa and have convened a meeting of all health officers from the district on Saturday.
District Collector, G P Naik, who chaired today’s meeting, said the district administration took stock of the situation arising out of the death of the migrant woman, who tested positive for H1N1. “Today’s meeting basically reviewed the situation and discussed measures how to go about educating the citizens on H1N1,” Naik added.
Another meeting has been called on Wednesday which will be attended by doctors from the Directorate of Health services.
Meanwhile, investigations carried out by the health officials has revealed that the deceased woman was down with illness and was found weak and confined to her house during the last two months. In fact, Margao Health Officer Dr Kakodkar said that the woman was admitted to Hospicio only after she felt unconscious.
“We have visited the house of the deceased and have given precautionary medicines to the husband of the deceased and others who had close contact with the woman”, Dr Kakodkar said.
She appealed to the citizens of Margao to be cautious following the death of the woman and to report to the local doctor if the cold and fever persists for more than two days. “Right now, we are witnessing the second wave of H1N1. The virus is in circulation and we have to take all precautions”, she added.
Dr Kakodkar said the Education department has already issued a circular to the schools to ensure that sick children should not be allowed in the schools. “We are spreading awareness in the schools by involving anganwadi workers. There is also a vaccine now available in the market”, he said.
