Swine Flu scare: Be alert to H1N1 virus, but no need to panic as medicines are in place, says Govt

New Delhi, Feb 25: Amid concerns over rising swine flu deaths in the country, Health Minister J P Nadda today warned the people to be careful about the virus but said there was no need for panic as medicines and facilities to tackle the disease were in place.

Responding to members' concerns in Rajya Sabha over the spread of the H1N1 virus which has so far led to the death of over 875 people across the country, the Minister said the government was taking it with all seriousness and would leave no stone unturned to tackle it.

Nadda said there was no shortage of medicines and swine flu testing facilities were being provided free of cost at specified government hospitals.

"No stone has been left unturned as far as seriousness is concerned and all efforts have been made. I assure the House and the members that there is no shortage of medicines. There is no need to panic, but we have to be alert," Nadda told the Upper House while replying to a discussion on the issue.

On vaccination, he said experts have opined that it does not provide 100 per cent protection and questions are being raised on its efficacy too.

"I want to assure the House that the inputs given by you will be discussed at the review meeting today. Keeping in mind the sentiments of the House, I will take efforts in all possible ability at my command," Nadda said.

Responding to a question why the government does not go for traditional Indian medicines to tackle the disease, the Health Minister said, "there is no time to go in for experiments."

He said Cabinet Secretary has taken a meeting of chief secretaries of all states on whether there was any shortage of medicines or facilities and whether all measures were being taken to tackle the disease.

Nadda said states and hospitals were given directions to set up isolation wards, give training to doctors and give them with personal protection equipment besides equipping them with medicines in December last year when the disease had started breaking out.

PTI