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Swine flu does not spare Goa
12 Jun 2009, 0206 hrs IST, TNN
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PANAJI: Swine flu hit Goa on Thursday, when a 41-year-old man from South Goa tested positive for the virus and there was another suspected case
in North Goa.
State health officials have, however, sent the man's swab samples to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune and the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), New Delhi for confirmation.
DHS director Rajananda Dessai confirmed that the man's samples sent to NIV, Pune, had tested positive to swine flu.
"We cannot yet say that he is a victim of swine flu, as we have sent the tests back to the NIV and the NICD for confirmation," Dessai said. The man has been admitted to the isolation ward of the Chicalim cottage hospital, where he is under observation. According to health officials, the man hails from south Goa and had recently arrived from London via Germany.
Doctors at Chicalim cottage hospital said there is restriction on movement of persons near the ward where the man is under observation, though his wife has been allowed to stay with him on the condition that she wears a mask. They also said they are awaiting the report of the swab sample sent to Pune.
Even as this news broke on Thursday morning, another woman arriving on a flight from Sharjah was taken by directorate of health (DHS) officials to the Goa medical college and hospital (GMC), Bambolim after displaying swine flu symptoms.
The woman, 35, hailing from North Goa arrived at Dabolim airport from Sharjah on Thursday morning and screening at the airport conducted by health officials revealed swine flu symptoms.
She was immediately taken by DHS officials to the GMC. "A woman was brought here by DHS. However, we took her samples and she left with the DHS officials," GMC medical superintendent Rajan Kuncolienkar said.
When asked about the case, Dessai says the woman's tests have also been sent to NIV, Pune and the woman has been allowed to go home, adding that there was no cause for panic.
Meanwhile, 219 international passengers were screened at the arrival lounge of the Dabolim Airport. The total number of passengers screened till date is 6,675.
Scare along beach belt
The swine flu scare has led to concern over restaurant staff in the coastal belt falling sick with prolonged bouts of fever.
Most of the staff hail from other states and have been sent home by restaurant owners. "The tourist season is at its fag end, though there are still a few Indian tourists coming. We cannot ask those who are sick to stay on," a Calangute restaurant owner said.
Another popular Baga restaurant saw three of its waiters contracting a kind of flu, with the owner himself getting infected later.
"It's a case of influenza," the restaurant owner said. "I've sent my waiters back to Sawantwadi. I hear they are getting better," he said.
Meanwhile, a pork butcher from Arpora-Nagoa panchayat, is reportedly suffering from a prolonged fever and it is learnt that he sought treatment at Candolim health centre. However, when contacted, health centre officials denied that anybody with such symptoms has approached them.
"A few weeks back, a tourist from Argentina came to us. He had flu symptoms, however, he recovered as it was influenza," says Sachin Govekar of the Candolim health centre.
Swine flu does not spare Goa - Goa - Cities - The Times of India
12 Jun 2009, 0206 hrs IST, TNN
Print Email Discuss Share Save Comment Text:
PANAJI: Swine flu hit Goa on Thursday, when a 41-year-old man from South Goa tested positive for the virus and there was another suspected case
in North Goa.
State health officials have, however, sent the man's swab samples to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune and the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), New Delhi for confirmation.
DHS director Rajananda Dessai confirmed that the man's samples sent to NIV, Pune, had tested positive to swine flu.
"We cannot yet say that he is a victim of swine flu, as we have sent the tests back to the NIV and the NICD for confirmation," Dessai said. The man has been admitted to the isolation ward of the Chicalim cottage hospital, where he is under observation. According to health officials, the man hails from south Goa and had recently arrived from London via Germany.
Doctors at Chicalim cottage hospital said there is restriction on movement of persons near the ward where the man is under observation, though his wife has been allowed to stay with him on the condition that she wears a mask. They also said they are awaiting the report of the swab sample sent to Pune.
Even as this news broke on Thursday morning, another woman arriving on a flight from Sharjah was taken by directorate of health (DHS) officials to the Goa medical college and hospital (GMC), Bambolim after displaying swine flu symptoms.
The woman, 35, hailing from North Goa arrived at Dabolim airport from Sharjah on Thursday morning and screening at the airport conducted by health officials revealed swine flu symptoms.
She was immediately taken by DHS officials to the GMC. "A woman was brought here by DHS. However, we took her samples and she left with the DHS officials," GMC medical superintendent Rajan Kuncolienkar said.
When asked about the case, Dessai says the woman's tests have also been sent to NIV, Pune and the woman has been allowed to go home, adding that there was no cause for panic.
Meanwhile, 219 international passengers were screened at the arrival lounge of the Dabolim Airport. The total number of passengers screened till date is 6,675.
Scare along beach belt
The swine flu scare has led to concern over restaurant staff in the coastal belt falling sick with prolonged bouts of fever.
Most of the staff hail from other states and have been sent home by restaurant owners. "The tourist season is at its fag end, though there are still a few Indian tourists coming. We cannot ask those who are sick to stay on," a Calangute restaurant owner said.
Another popular Baga restaurant saw three of its waiters contracting a kind of flu, with the owner himself getting infected later.
"It's a case of influenza," the restaurant owner said. "I've sent my waiters back to Sawantwadi. I hear they are getting better," he said.
Meanwhile, a pork butcher from Arpora-Nagoa panchayat, is reportedly suffering from a prolonged fever and it is learnt that he sought treatment at Candolim health centre. However, when contacted, health centre officials denied that anybody with such symptoms has approached them.
"A few weeks back, a tourist from Argentina came to us. He had flu symptoms, however, he recovered as it was influenza," says Sachin Govekar of the Candolim health centre.
Swine flu does not spare Goa - Goa - Cities - The Times of India