Delhi health minister to review H1N1 response with hospitals on Monday

Delhi’s 1,777 recorded H1N1 cases this year will be reviewed at a meeting of government hospital officials and municipal health officers on Monday, Health Minister Pankaj Singh said.

The city has reported 2,392 influenza A cases this year, with H1N1 the largest subtype. Singh has asked chief district medical officers, district surveillance officers and hospitals to screen, report and monitor cases of influenza-like illness and severe acute respiratory infection.

Technical guidance on patient categorisation, treatment, ventilatory care, masks and home care has already been circulated, an official said. Healthcare workers are also being trained to recognise symptoms and follow follow-up protocols.

Singh said Delhi had not received reports of H1N1 patients requiring intensive care or ventilator support. He said hospitals had sufficient beds, doctors, medicines and essential equipment.

Residents with respiratory symptoms have been advised to consult a doctor rather than self-medicate, maintain hand hygiene, use masks in crowded places and avoid close contact with people who have respiratory illness.