Thaindian News

Kolkata, Aug 10 (IANS) The total number of swine flu infection cases in West Bengal rose to 10 Monday, as various schools pressed the alarm bell trying to sensitise students and parents on the H1N1 infections in the state.
“We’ve already told our students and their parents to immediately consult physicians if they see anyone with swine flu symptoms. We’ve also told them not to send their children to schools if any student shows such symptoms,” St. James School principal Terence Ireland said.

He said the disease was extremely infectious among the children and “we advise everyone to be careful about this health menace”.

Mahadevi Birla School’s principal Malini Bhagath said: “We’ve issued a circular to all our students informing them about the swine flu symptoms”.

According to health department sources, 10 confirmed swine flu cases have been detected so far in West Bengal.

“Some of the patients have been admitted to Kolkata’s Beliaghata Infectious Diseases Hospital,” state swine flu nodal officer Tapas Sen told IANS.

Sen said the government had already taken all necessary measures to tackle the disease and also issued a public circular to inform people about it.

However, Trinamool Congress leader Sudip Bandhopadhyay alleged the available medical infrastructure at the hospital was inadequate.

“I’ll meet the medical superintendent of the hospital and ask him about the problems he is facing while dealing with such cases. If necessary, I will also talk to the central health minister about the matter,” he said.

According to health department sources, Rishav Gopana of south Kolkata was admitted with swine flu infection Sunday evening at Beliaghata Hospital. Gopana had returned from the US last week.

Meanwhile, city medicine shopowners also claimed that the specialised N-95 masks, necessary to prevent swine flu infection, were not available in the market.

“These masks are not available in the market. Many buyers are asking for it but we could not meet their requirement as the product is not with the medical stores across the state,” city-based medicine shopowner Raju Khandelwal said.