Assam: Is Air Pollution causing Swine Flu in state?

Guwahati, Aug. 9: As Assam reels under increased cases of Swine flu and deaths related to the disease, the authorities and peolpe are at a fix as to what could be the reason behind the uncontrolled spread of this disease and most importantly, how to control the spread of Swine flu. It may be mentioned in this regard that Kamrup (metro) has recorded the highest number of positive cases of swine flu this year followed by Morigaon and Kamrup districts in Assam.

An official of National Health Mission, Assam stated that due to lack of testing kit in GMCH all swine flu tests are now carried out in Regional Medical Research Center  (RMRC). This year, swine flu spread in Assam indigenously. Phangchu stated that it may have resulted from air pollution. "We have requested every person to be careful. It is very necessary to wear masks when travelling," Phangchu added.

The National Health Mission, in its report released here today, said Kamrup (metro) has recorded 135 positive cases of swine flu while Morigaon has recorded 13 and Kamrup three cases respectively. Sivasagar, Sonitpur, Barpeta, Jorhat and Darrang districts have recorded one case each. Till now three persons have died of swine flu in Assam. Two died in Kamrup (metro) district and one in Kamrup district.

The Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) stated that the other two persons who died were from Nagaon district of Assam and Siliguri in north Bengal. as per reports, in Assam, there are two government-testing centres for detecting swine flu. One is in GMCH and another at the (RMRC) at Lahowal in Dibrugarh district .

"We send all samples for swine flu test directly to RMRC Dibrugarh and also get the result within two days through email. So there is not so much problem due to lack of testing kits. It is up to the National Health Mission so they can only say when it will be made available in GMCH," superintendent of GMCH Ramen Talukdar said.

Reacting to the rising cases of swine flu, Kamrup (metro) deputy commissioner M. Angamuthu stated that all kinds of measures have been taken to tackle the situation. "Till now there is no casualty in swine flu in Guwahati. But we have taken all kind of preventive measure and directed the health department to be ready for any kind of situation," Angamuthu said.

TNT News with inputs from The Telegraph