Jharkhand health department sounds alert after 8 persons tested positive for swine flu
In an advisory issued to all civil surgeons, medical colleges and district surveillance officials, the department asked them to remain vigilant, screen suspected cases and keep isolation wards ready at hospitals
The Jharkhand Health Department issued an alert on August 29, 2026, after eight individuals tested positive for H1N1 influenza, also known as swine flu, according to an official. The department instructed civil surgeons, medical colleges, and district surveillance officials to remain vigilant, screen suspected cases, and prepare isolation wards at hospitals.
State National Health Mission director Shashi Prakash Jha emphasized that the alert aims at spreading awareness and precautionary measures, not inducing panic. Eleven samples were tested at the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences in Ranchi, with eight coming back positive for H1N1. Influenza A (H1N1) and H3N2 seasonal influenza have been reported in various states, including Delhi, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan.
The department is monitoring ILI (influenza-like illness) and SARI (severe acute respiratory infections) cases through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) and conducting daily reporting on the IHIP portal. Testing facilities for H1N1 and H3N2 are available at RIMS, Ranchi, and MGM, Jamshedpur. Hospitals have been directed to designate at least 10-bed isolation wards for suspected and infected patients and ensure adequate supplies of PPE kits, masks, triple-layer masks, essential medicines, oxygen equipment, and ventilators.
The elderly, children under five, pregnant women, and those with chronic illnesses are more vulnerable to the infection and require special care.
Written by urgent.news from The Hindu - Sci-Tech's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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