National
Swine flu detected in Ramechhap patients
Some patients in Ramechhap are suspected to be infected with H1N1, the virus that causes the influenza popularly known as swine flu.Tika Prasad Bhatta
Some patients in Ramechhap are suspected to be infected with H1N1, the virus that causes the influenza popularly known as swine flu. The number of patients showing flu-like symptoms has surged in the past two weeks.
According to the District Public Health Office (DPHO), two of the eight blood samples sent to the National Public Health Laboratory in Teku, Kathmandu, tested positive for swine flu. The Ramechhap District Hospital had sent the blood samples for test as it failed to control high fever even after administering antibiotics on the patients.
Scores of people suffering from flu have been admitted to the District Hospital, Tamakoshi Cooperative Hospital and Manthali-based Primary Health Centre.
Doctors suspected the cases to be swine flu as they were unable to cure the patients with prescribed medicines. The DPHO said it had received a basic supply of medicines to control the disease.
The health office did not reveal the news of the disease even to the patients and their relatives. It plans to change the treatment protocol rather than spreading panic among the people with the information. The doctors are discussing the use and storage of the medicines in the district.
The DPHO claimed that the disease is within control.