New Delhi: Influenza H1N1 virus, which caused the Swine flu pandemic in 2009-10, continues to circulate in various parts of the country, the government today said.
Health Minister J P Nadda while replying to a question in Rajya Sabha said that since January 1 this year till April 26, 2232 persons have died due to the disease while 35,687 people have been affected by it.
"Influenza A H1N1 virus that cause the influenza pandemic during 2009-10 continues to circulate in the community causing outbreaks in various parts of the country," Nadda said.
He said that the centre monitored the H1N1 situation and remained in regular touch with affected state governments. For combating the outbreak, the states have been provided guidelines on screening, risk categorization of patients, clinical case and ventilator management.
He said that teams from Union Health Ministry were also sent as per need while the centre also assisted states by providing logistic support for drug oseltamivir, H1N1 vaccine, masks and personal protective equipments.
Nadda while replying to two separate questions said that a committee under the Director General of Health Services also regularly monitors the situation while regular advertisements for guidance of public were issued by his ministry in local and national newspapers.
He said that a campaign was also launched in February on portals registered with Directorate of Audio Visual Publicity (DAVP) while radio jingles were aired on All India Radio and private FM channels.
He said that emergency stock of oseltamivir, N-95 masks and personal protective equipment is also being maintained.
