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| Helplines |
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Dial Toll Free
National Helpline: 1075
NCDC: 011-23921401
Latest Government of India
updates: www.mohfw.nic.in |
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| How do I Protect Myself from H1N1? |
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Stay informed |
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Understand the influenza. It
spreads mainly person to
person through coughing or
sneezing of infected people |
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Take actions to stay
healthy |
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Cover nose and mouth
with a tissue when
coughing/
sneezing |
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Throw tissue in the trash
after using |
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Wash hands often with
soap and water, especially
after coughing/sneezing |
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Avoid touching eyes, nose
or mouth |
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Stay home if sick |
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Follow public health advice |
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| Government of India Response |
Government of India gears up to fight H1N1
 Often the opinion in various sections of the society has been that the Government of India responded to the current epidemic in a ‘reactionary manner’. This section tries to document the preparedness, planning and measures taken by the government of India.
An Inter-Ministerial Task Force and Joint Monitoring Group for AI/pandemic were formed soon after the emergence of avian influenza (H5N1) in 2005-06. These have been meeting regularly since then and guiding and coordinating national responses to emerging influenza situation in the country.
In consultation with national experts and international agencies like World Health Organization, the National Contingency Plan to respond to avian influenza H5N1 (link) was developed in 2005. This was followed by a detailed National Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Plan (Link) in 2005. Response and containment measures taken by GoI to different H5N1 outbreaks were applauded globally by several countries and technical agencies like WHO.
For latest Government of India Guidelines please click on:
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Preparedness
Preparedness measures include:
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A series of workshops, refresher trainings for epidemiologists and microbiologists and table top exercises to test response plans of each state. Clinicians and anesthetists and have been trained on clinical management of cases of API. The states have been supported to undertake capacity building and trainings at the district level for public health professionals, clinicians, anesthetists and microbiologists and on the district level Avian Pandemic Influenza preparedness plan, rapid response teams and management of cases. |
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Building laboratory diagnostic capacity by setting up BSL3 laboratory facilities in 18 government laboratories across the country |
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Setting up at least 2 sentinel surveillance networks for monitoring seasonal and other influenza viruses:– ICMR-AIIMS network and NICD network |
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Setting up a national toll free helpline 1075 and 011-2391401 |
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Stockpiling and building in country capacity to manufacture antiviral (Oseltamivir) |
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Building capacity to initiate and scale up mass production of vaccine for pandemic influenza (first H5N1 and then H1N1). Production process for H1N1 vaccine has begun in three companies: Pune-based Serum Institute, Hyderabad’s Bharat Biotech and Delhi’s Panacea Biotech. All received vaccine seeds from the World Health Organization (WHO). |
Under the leadership of Government of India, all states in the country have been building capacity for AI/ pandemic Influenza preparedness for the last two years.
While globally, H5N1 was being dreaded to be the mother of next pandemic, the world was taken by surprise by H1N1 in April 2009. GoI has been closely monitoring the situation ever since the emergence of novel H1N1 virus in Mexico and US in April 2009. As existing and active mechanisms, Inter-Ministerial Task Force and Joint Monitoring Group for AI/pandemic, comprising representatives from a number of ministries are once again, regularly reviewing the global and national situation.
Revised Action Plan
A revised action plan for the pandemic has been developed for response to novel H1N1 influenza. The national pandemic preparedness plan has also been modified accordingly. The strategies have since been rolled out as per the preparedness plans with customization to the prevailing situations.
In the current epidemic of novel influenza H1N1, a series of actions approved by the Inter-Ministerial Task Force (IMTF) have been initiated.
Change in strategy: From containment to mitigation
The initial strategy followed was that of ‘containment’ which involved quarantine, isolation of suspect/confirmed cases, contact tracing and preventive treatment. With the virus having now spread into the community, the strategy is gradually changing to ‘mitigation’ involving isolation testing, treatment and follows up of high risk cases at designated hospitals.
All health care facilities in states under the country’s Integrated Disease Surveillance Project (IDSP) and medical colleges have been activated to report on Influenza like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) /Pneumonia cases.
A 24X7 helpline 011-2391401 has been activated to receive calls from the public for enquiries about the disease and to report ILI. The IDSP has been tracing and monitoring health status of passengers who have traveled on flights with co-passengers who were subsequently confirmed as cases of Influenza A(H1N1).
All samples from suspected cases are being tested at the National Institute of Communicable Disease (NICD), New Delhi, or the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune. More laboratories would start testing specimens from cases. For list of laboratories and testing centres click here.
The Government is communicating risks, personal protective measures and preventive guidelines through the mass media. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is rolling out a structured media campaign on preventive behaviour for flu with guidelines on what people should do in the event of flu and who to report to.
Coordination/Expert Committees
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Committee of Secretaries (CoS), Inter-Ministerial Task Force (IMTF) and Joint Monitoring Group (JMG) monitoring the situation |
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Expert Committee under DGHS examining drug issues (retail sale of oseltamivir etc) |
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Expert Committee under Secretary (HR)/DG ICMR examining vaccine production |
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Task Force in I&B Ministry developing Media Strategy |
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High level consultations with WHO, CDC and other experts |
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Enhanced Surveillance
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Alerted states to heighten level of surveillance |
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Integrated Disease Surveillance Project (IDSP) units in States/Districts to look for and report clusters of Influenza like Illness (ILI) and that of pneumonia |
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Trained Central and State Rapid Response Teams ready to investigate and manage suspected outbreaks |
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Appeal in print media to medical practitioners to report clusters of influenza like illness to Toll free no 1075 |
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Identified labs at NCDC, Delhi and NIV, Pune testing clinical samples of suspect cases |
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Clinical Management
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States asked to create isolation facilities and surge capacity for hospital treatment |
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Mild cases to be treated at home under home isolation |
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Guidance issued to states on clinical management, infection control practices, laboratory support |
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200 ventilators procured and being distributed |
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Guidelines on website www.mohfw.nic.in |
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Medical Supplies
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Stockpile of Oseltamivir increased |
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Additional stock of this drug to be retained through banking arrangement |
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Stockpile of Personal Protective Equipments (PPE) raised from one lakh to one million |
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Stockpile of medical supplies decentralised (placed with Regional and State Offices) |
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Communication
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Travel advisory widely publicised |
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Do’s and don'ts issued in print media in vernacular languages |
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Medical practitioners informed to report cluster of influenza like illness to 24X7 call centre (Toll free No 1075) of NCDC |
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Public queries attended through the Outbreak Monitoring Cell of NCDC (Tele No 011-23921401) |
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Simple public health measures shown through visual media |
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Task Force in I&B Ministry finalising print and media materials for large scale campaign |
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All information made available o the MoHFW website |
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Daily press releases issued and media briefings held when required |
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Preparedness for pandemic sectors other than health
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Integrated pandemic actions into disaster management framework
- Law and order
- Maintaining essential services
- Continuity of operations
- Social distancing measures |
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National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) nodal coordinating agency |
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Committee of Secretaries review action in sectors other than health |
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NDMA preparing crisis management plan (draft ready) |
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WHO joins hands with the Indian Government
WHO is collaborating with the Government of India for rapid augmentation of the country’s capacity to implement mitigation measures for the pandemic, including technical support and seed grants for production capacity for pandemic vaccine amongst host of other efforts.
WHO is also supporting the Indian Red Cross for strengthening community awareness and preparedness to deal with Influenza A(H1N1) through the 12 million members and volunteers of the Indian Red Cross working at the Centre, states and district levels.
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Source: Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India and National Centre for Disease Control
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| India Situation |
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