H1N1 / Swine Flu PRECAUTIONS

· Please do not panic, Swine Flu is currently not a national pandemic the way it is made out to be

· Please do not take self-medication as that renders the drug useless in actual treatment should you get the virus

· 'SWINE FLU' medicines are ONLY available with Govt. Hospitals in India – contact details enclosed below

· Should you suspect symptoms:

o Please get your tests done immediately

o We would also strongly recommend that you stay at home and ensure you do not spread the infection by travelling or coming into work

· All cases of Swine Flu are not serious in nature, however since there is no vaccine available currently to protect against it, the best alternative is to follow some preventive measures as below:

DO'S

1. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw tissue in the trash after you use it. Use the disposable masks in airports, crowded markets.

2. Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze

3. Use alcohol-based hand cleaners (e.g: Germ Free)

4. Try to avoid close contact with sick people

5. Always maintain high levels of personal hygiene, especially before and after food preparation and in & out of toilets.

6. While in an affected region, seek immediate medical attention if you develop influenza-like symptoms. (High Fever, body pain, coughing and red nose)

7. Get plenty of sleep

8. Rest and take plenty of liquids

9. Drink plenty of water and eat nutritious food

DON'TS

1. Touch your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way

2. Visits live animal markets, poultry and pig farms in affected countries

3. Shake hands or hug in greeting

4. Spit in public

5. Take medicines without consulting a physician

6. If you are sick, PLEASE stay at home and limit contact with others as much as possible

7. Forget to cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze

8. Neglect yourself and seek medical advice if needed

Attached is a detailed information guide to Swine Flu – please do take the time out to go through it to protect yourself and your family..It also lists out hospitals authorized to treat swine flu at the moment.

The diagnostic blood test is done at selected institutes only, e.g: Inst. of Virology, Pune and in few prominent hospitals in major cities such as:

LIST OF IDENTIFIED BIO SAFETY LABORATORIES (BSL-3) FOR PROCESSING CLINICAL SAMPLES

1. National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune

National Reference Centre and WHO (H5) Reference Laboratory Director : Dr.A..Mishra

Contact Number : Office - 020-261

Mobile - 09970178555

24X7 contact number for informing about sample collection: 020-26006210/290

2. National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD),

22 Shamnath Marg, Delhi

Special DG & Director : Dr Shiv Lal

Contact No. (office) : 011-23913148

HOD, Microbiology : Dr Shashi Khare

Mobile :9899900731

24X7 contact number for informing about sample collection : 011-23921401

3. Regional Reference Laboratories (Standby labs) National Institute of Cholera & Enteric Diseases (NICED), Kolkata

(033-23500448)

Regional Medical Research Centre, Dibrugarh

(03732381494)

4. Additional BSL laboratories being Commissioned :

CRI, Kasauli

Haffkine Institute, Mumbai