Three members of Adyar family test positive for H1N1

CHENNAI: Three members of a family tested positive for H1N1 on Monday. Officials from the health department say the source of the infection could be a private hospital in Sastri Nagar in Adyar and have recommended vaccination for doctors, nurses and paramedical staff there. With this, the total number of H1N1 cases in the state has gone up to 32, including 17 from Chennai, director of public health Dr RT Porkai Pandian said.
A woman who works at Menangudy Hospital in Sastri Nagar on Sunday tested positive for H1N1. She had been suffering from fever and wheezing for three days. Health officials checked her family members for any signs of infection. On Monday, the woman's daughter, a Class 6 student of Monahan Girls Higher Secondary School, and her three-year-old nephew tested positive. They have been prescribed oseltamivir, advised a week's rest one and are required to be quarantined at home.
On detection, health department officials swung into action and screened the staff of Menangudy Hospital and more than 1,000 students in the two branches of the Monahan School. "No one was ill but we have asked them to meet a doctor. We have advised all healthcare workers to vaccinate themselves against the flu," said a Chennai Corporation health department official.
Meanwhile, screening continued for rail passengers at the Egmore and Central stations. Doctors checked 81 people who came with symptoms such as fever, body ache, fatigue, nausea, running nose and vomiting. No screening was done at the Chennai airport due to the lack of volunteers. "We have been trying to convince people to come and check themselves, but we don't have volunteers," a doctor said.
Officials have begun visiting the 15 areas from where infections have been reported and have set up free awareness and health camps there. "We are telling people not to panic. There is no epidemic now. We don't need mass vaccinations yet. In fact, we are not even recommending tests unless the fever persists for more than three days," said city chief health officer Dr P Kuganantham.