PANAJI
As many as 260 swine flu cases were reported in Goa in 2017, which was significantly higher than merely six cases reported in 2016 and 179 cases reported in 2015. This information was shared by the Health Minister while responding to a question tabled by Curtorim MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco in the ongoing session of the assembly.
Maximum number of swine flu cases (91) were reported in Salcete taluka in 2017. At 50 positive cases, Bardez reported second highest number of swine flu cases in 2017. Tiswad
i (26 swine flu cases), Sattari (22 cases), Mormugao (20 cases), Quepem and Ponda (14 cases each) were other talukas where significant number of cases tested positive for H1N1 virus in 2017.
Reginaldo asked the Health Minister whether the government has a policy to make vaccination available so that such cases can be prevented from happening. To this, the minister replied that few suggestions are under consideration to ensure the same.
He said that the government is considering to conduct influenza A (H1N1) pneumococcal vaccination for geriatrics population, especially for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to decrease the occurrence of COPD exacerbation.
He said further that the government is considering to include influenza A (H1NI) vaccination for all health services and Goa Medical College (GMC). The health minister also said that the directorate of health and Goa Medical College have sufficient medical staff to treat cases with swine flu infection on war footing.
Reginaldo asked the Health Minister whether the government has a policy to make vaccination available so that such cases can be prevented from happening. To this, the minister replied that few suggestions are under consideration to ensure the same.
He said that the government is considering to conduct influenza A (H1N1) pneumococcal vaccination for geriatrics population, especially for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to decrease the occurrence of COPD exacerbation.
He said further that the government is considering to include influenza A (H1NI) vaccination for all health services and Goa Medical College (GMC). The health minister also said that the directorate of health and Goa Medical College have sufficient medical staff to treat cases with swine flu infection on war footing.
