Swine Flu: DAK Sets Up Helpline

SRINAGAR: Doctors Association of Kashmir (DAK) Friday said that it has set up round the clock helpline numbers for public awareness in view of swine flu outbreak in Kashmir.

People can call and get information on following phone numbers: 09697988866, 09419409866, 09086889191, 09906832097, 09796337171, 09596251400 and 09469154840, the DAK said in a statement.

The doctors body said the communicators on these helpline numbers are expert doctors and will address public concerns on swine flu from today. People can seek advice on symptoms, prevention, treatment, testing and vaccination, it said.

Meanwhile, the president of DAK and H1N1 expert, Dr Nisar ul Hassan said that effective communication to public in an outbreak is vital to prevent the spread of disease and is an intervention in its own right.

Public, during an outbreak, is entitled to credible and consistent information to build trust which is critical for hastening containment of outbreak, he said, adding: DAK helpline numbers will address public anxiety and panic created by distrust of health officials who concealed information and failed to protect public health.

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He said the vaccination against H1N1 virus has to be prioritized for high risk persons like pregnant women, persons who live with or care for children younger than 06 months, diabetics, chronic lung or kidney disease, asthmatics, children below 05 years, elderly and health care workers.

Once the demand for vaccine for these target groups is met then everybody should begin vaccinating. Children younger than 10 years should receive 02 doses of H1N1 vaccine separated by 04 weeks, Hassan said, adding: Infants younger than 06 months are too young to get any influenza vaccine

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