E-Kantipur

KATHMANDU, AUG 15 - Department of Health and Services under the Ministry of Health and Population (MoPH) is all set to launch a vaccination campaign against Pandemic Influenza (AH1N1) known as swine flu across the country, after the World Health Organization (WHO) assured the government of delivering 2.7 million doses of the vaccine in September first week to begin with.

Talking to the Post, Dr. Ananda Kumar Shrestha, Coordinator of Avian Influenza Control Programme (AICP) under the MoPH, said, "We have finalised our plan to launch a vaccination campaign against swine flu in two phases in September end."

The campaign will be carried out in the Central and Western development regions in the first phase followed by vaccination in the remaining regions in the second phase. With the WHO agreeing to supply the doses, plans are afoot to provide orientation to health professionals in all the districts before the campaign kicks off. High risk groups such as pregnant women, health workers and elderly over 65 will be prioritised as recipients of the vaccine, according to Dr. Shrestha.

Health officials have asked the public not to panic even if cases of swine flu had gone up across the country arguing the viral cases were not severe. There is an adequate stockpile of drug and other resources to respond to an outbreak.

Apart from Rapid Response Teams set up in all 75 districts, there are 39 facilities set up specifically for swine flu surveillance. Human resources deployed in the centres ensure personal hygiene measures such as keeping distance, covering mouth while sneezing and washing hands with soap water at least thrice a day.

According to the data provided by the AICP, the influenza has claimed three lives as of Sunday. Swine flu has been detected in 188 out of 600 cases tested since June 29 last year, when the disease was first reported. On Oct. 15, the government declared the spread of swine flu in the country.

Posted on: 2010-08-15 09:44

Post Your Comment

Please note that all the fields marked * are mandatory.
* Full Name
* Address
* Email Address
* Comment
* Captcha	Get another CAPTCHA code
Note:	Comments containing abusive words or slander shall not be published.