Four fresh cases of swine flu reported in Delhi

New Delhi: Four fresh cases of swine flu were reported in the national capital on Monday, taking the figure to 9 so far this year.

The Union Health Minister JP Nadda reiterated that there was no need to panic even as he directed officials of both Centre and state governments to stock up on emergency requirements of medicine for swine flu.

Three men, aged 70, 37 and 58, residents of Saket, Dwarka and Jor Bagh and a 30-year woman from New Delhi have tested positive for H1N1 (swine flu) virus, according to the officials from the health department.

While the three men are being treated in private hospitals, the woman is undergoing treatment at Safdarjung hospital.

With nine cases reported this year, the total figure has gone up to 47 since last year.

Chairing a high-level meeting to review to state of preparedness and action taken to deal with H1N1 influenza cases, Nadda urged officials to ensure that states have adequate quantity of personal protective equipment for healthcare workers as well as diagnostic facilities required for testing H1N1 samples.

"The Health Minister stated that while there is no cause to panic, the central and state governments should be well prepared. He directed the central and states government to stock up on emergency requirements of medicine Oseltamivir, even though the Centre and states have procured the same for their respective use," an official statement said.

He emphasised on the need to have adequate quantity of personal protective equipment for healthcare workers and that diagnostic facilities for testing H1N1 samples be ensured, the statement said.

Senior officials of Health and Family Welfare department, health research, AIIMS, Safdurjung, RML Hospital, NCDC and officers of government of Delhi and Ghaziabad were present at the meeting.

"The Health Minister has advised that the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) network should continue comprehensive and prompt reporting so that the districts or states requiring more attention can be identified," the statement said.