BD needs to be more cautious about swine flu outbreak

Director of the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) Prof Mahmudur Rahman said Sunday Bangladesh needs to be more cautious about the outbreak of swine flu as neighbouring India has been hit hard by the disease, reports UNB.
The IEDCR director came up with the suggestion at a press conference, titled 'Swine Flu Invasion in India and Our Role', jointly arranged by Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA) and Ek Shastha Bangladesh at Dhaka Reporters' Unity (DRU) in the city.
He said pregnant women, older people, children and people suffering from various long-term diseases like cancer and diabetes are more vulnerable to swine flu.
Prof Rahman mentioned that Bangladesh has the facilities to diagnose swine flu quickly, and also the medicines required.
There are medical teams to detect infected people in the three international airports, Chittagong port and Benapole land port while 6,137 doctors have been trained to provide treatment to swine flu patients, he said.
Dr Rahman also gave some suggestions to stay out of the viral flu.
The suggestions are - covering nose and mouth with handkerchief or tissue while sneezing and coughing; washing hands several times in a day with soap or liquid antiseptic; restraining from spitting or coughing here and there; taking rest at residence if one catches cold or fever; and go to the nearest healthcare centre if there is any respiratory problem with fever.
BAPA general secretary Md Abdul Matin and Ek Shastha Bangladesh coordinator Dr Nitish Chandra Debnath also spoke on the occasion.