05 May,2009 07:55 AM IST | | A correspondent
With the number of confirmed swine flu cases topping 1,025 worldover yesterday, the directorate of health services, in collaboration with other organisations has decided to hand out leaflets containing dos and don'ts related to the disease.
These will include basic information about proper cough etiquette and hygiene procedures to ensure that the threat of human-to-human transmissions is minimised.
Dr D S Dakhure, director general of Maharashtra health services who attended a national level meeting last morning in Delhi, said, "We plan to distribute leaflets at airports, ports and hospitals to spread awareness about precautionary measures against the H1N1 influenza A." He added that the leaflets will be ready in two days. At present, 17 samples from across the nation have been sent for testing to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune, which is acting as the central testing centre. Of these the only sample from Maharashtra is that of a 57-year-old Worli resident who returned from Mexico last week. But Dakhure ruled out that the man would test positive for swine flu.
Meanwhile, at the Pune centre, stringent checks are now being undertaken to ensure that highest standards are maintained during swine flu tests. "We are not even allowing food to be brought into the labs. The team for influenza testing has been increased and all necessary steps are being taken," said Dr A C Mishra, centre director.
He refused to disclose whether the samples had tested negative or otherwise. Mexico will resume normal business activity this week after its swine flu emergency eased.
