Imphal/Aizawl, Feb 4 (PTI) Two samples among six sent for screening for novel coronavirus in Manipur tested positive for swine flu, a senior health official said on Tuesday.
The six samples collected from people entering the state were sent to the National Institute of Virology in Pune for testing for coronavirus, Director of Manipur Health Services K Rajo told reporters.
“We have received three reports so far. Though none of them tested positive for coronavirus, swine flu has been detected in two of them,” he said.
Of the two affected persons, one had recently visited China, while the other came in contact with that person, Rajo said.
Being “mild” cases of swine flu, the affected persons will be monitored through “home isolation” and their family members will be provided medicines, he added.
According to Rajo, five centres have been opened in different border towns of the state and at the Imphal International Airport to screen people for coronavirus.
Meanwhile, neighbouring Mizoram has started screening people entering the state through the India-Myanmar border, officials said.
A screening centre has been set up at Zokhawthar in the border district of Champhai, besides one at Lengpui Airport, they said.
The health department said no coronavirus case has been detected in the state so far and urged people not to believe rumours doing rounds on social media.
It said two medical students who returned from China on January 15 have tested negative for coronavirus. PTI CORR ACD DIV DIV
Swine flu (also known as the H1N1) is a respiratory condition which is highly infectious and can spread very quickly from one person to another. While it was earlier only detected in people with regular exposure to pigs (hence the name), it now primarily spreads from person to person.
Like many other strains of flu, swine flu is extremely contagious and can spread through air droplets produced by sneezing, coughing and even by touching infected areas where droplets have recently landed, including desks, utensils and tabletops. This is why the best means to prevent this deadly flu is to get vaccinated.
Who should get vaccinated?Although the symptoms of swine flu are usually mild, pregnant women, very young children, elderlies and those with a weak immune system are more likely to be seriously ill with swine flu. Hence, even though everyone should make it a point to get swine flu vaccinations, the priority groups which are more at risk of catching this infection should get vaccinated without fail.
Vaccinations for swine flu
Vaccines have been developed to protect against the virus that causes swine flu. According to Dr Sushant Chhabra, HOD Emergency Medicine, Manipal Hospital, one should get the seasonal flu vaccine as it keeps getting updated every year to protect against new strains of viruses. The flu vaccination available in the market has four inactive strains and is known as the quadrivalent flu vaccine.
The dosage
Kids – 0.25 millilitres
Adults – 0.5 millilitres
The swine flu vaccination is ideally taken once in a year and its immunity period is usually between 6 months to one year.
Side-effects of the vaccine
Some of the most common side-effects of a swine flu vaccine include allergic reaction, fever and redness and pain at the site of injection. Some people may also experience tiredness, headaches and muscle ache after getting the flu shot.
Keep in mind that if you had a severe allergic reaction to the previous dose of vaccine, it is important that you inform your medical care provider about the same.
