Isolation wards set up in Mohali

Kulwinder Sangha

Mohali, December 19

A rapid response team and isolation wards in three civil hospitals have been set up in Mohali district to tackle bird flu emergencies.

The isolation wards have been set up at the Civil Hospitals in Mohali, Kharar and Dera Bassi.

The steps were spelt out at a meeting held by Civil Surgeon Neelam Bhardwaj today with Programme Officers, SMOs and officials of the Veterinary Department in connection with bird flu.

It was decided that there would be house-to-house surveillance in areas like Kansal and Nayagaon located near the Sukhna Lake.

Immediate medical attention will be provided in cases of suspected bird flu. Members of the family of the suspected patient and those living nearby will be medically checked. Besides, awareness will be spread about the bird flu through the distribution of pamphlets. Medical authorities issued an appeal to the public not to panic. Anybody with high fever, throat infection, cough and having difficulty in breathing should go in for medical examination. Also, any person who had come in contact with sick or dead birds in the past 10 days should go in for a checkup.

A toll-free phone number (104) was functional for providing information on bird flu.