H1N1 cases may be reported from Kumbh: Govt

“Swine flu is transmitted from one human to another the way any other viral disease is transmitted. The Union Health Ministry has made all arrangements at Haridwar to combat the spread of this disease. Test facilities,medicines – all will be readily available to any person who complains of being infected here,” Indian Council of Medical Research DG V M Katoch said.

He said,“the Director-General of Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) R K Srivastava has been assigned the responsibility by the Union Health Minister to make all arrangements at Haridwar.” Swine flu is transmitted from one human to another,if a person touches something or someone with the H1N1 virus,or through droplets in the air from a sneeze or cough of a person who is inflicted with the virus.

“Kumbh Mela is the largest pilgrimage gathering of the world. This cold weather is conducive for swine flu as it helps the virus to grow and multiply. Though arrangements have been made by the government,still we cannot rule out that swine flu cases will not be reported from there,” a scientist with the National Institute of Communicable Diseases said.