Seasonal flu on rise in Karnataka: Health dept issues guidelines

Bengaluru, Dec 22: In view of the increase in seasonal flu cases across the state, the health department has issued a set of guidelines to hospitals and health officials.

The department has cautioned that there is a higher risk of seasonal flu cases rising from December, January through March, and has instructed hospitals to take necessary preventive and preparedness measures. As the infection spreads through droplets from infected persons, the guidelines stress the need for adequate precautions.

Children, senior citizens, pregnant women and patients with comorbidities are more vulnerable to the infection. Fever, cough, red rashes, loss of appetite, body aches, cold and dry cough have been identified as the main symptoms of seasonal flu.

Seasonal flu generally lasts for about a week, but in some cases it may persist for up to three weeks. In this context, all district health officers have been instructed to take appropriate action.

As part of the guidelines, officials have been directed to closely monitor ILI (Influenza-Like Illness) and SARI (Severe Acute Respiratory Infection) cases. It has been instructed that at least five ILI cases and 100 SARI cases should be tested daily.

All laboratories have been asked to ensure the availability of adequate testing kits. Instructions have also been issued to stock essential medicines, including PPE kits, N95 masks and other necessary medical supplies.

Hospitals have been advised to maintain a sufficient stock of oseltamivir tablets and prescribe them as required. The department has also directed the stocking of influenza vaccines and advised healthcare workers, pregnant women and high-risk patients to receive appropriate vaccination.

Further, the guidelines emphasise preparedness for clinical management and critical care, including readiness of ventilators. Health officials have also been advised to focus on community awareness initiatives and carry out real-time monitoring of the situation.