PUNE: About 1,739 passengers were screened at Mumbai airport on Thursday ahead of the preventive screening for Novel Coronavirus (nCoV). Out of these, six patients (three from Mumbai and three from Pune) were from
Maharashtra. The State Health Department has issued an advisory for patients who have symptoms.
As per the information shared by the State Health Department, two passengers from the Mumbai Airport, who are residents of Mumbai, had fever and cough and hence, were advised to stay under observation at Mumbai-based Kasturba Hospital. Pune-based Naidu Hospital has also set up a special ward for suspected cases.
The State government officials have notified that patients showing symptoms for nCoV should seek medical help.
Speaking about the advisory from the State Health Department, State Surveillance Officer Dr Pradeep Awate noted that the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW) has advised seven international airports to do the screening of patients travelling from nCoV-affected countries.
“The airport authorities are advised to follow up with passengers for at least 28 days from their arrival. Mumbai-based Kasturba Hospital and Pune-based Naidu Hospital have special isolated rooms for nCoV patients,” said Dr Awate.
EMERGENCY COMMITTEE MEET HELD
An Emergency Committee was convened by the World Health Organisation (WHO) Director-General under the International Health Regulations (IHR) (2005) on Wednesday regarding the outbreak of novel coronavirus 2019 in the People’s Republic of China, with exportations currently reported in the Republic of Korea, Japan, Thailand and Singapore.
“On Thursday, representatives of Ministry of Health of the People’s Republic of China, Japan, Thailand and the Republic of Korea updated the committee on the situation. There have been 557 numbers of confirmed reported cases in Chinaas on Thursday,” said WHO in a statement.
SYMPTOMS OF CORONAVIRUS
- Cough, cold, and flu-like symptoms, difficulty in breathing, pneumonia, may affect the kidney.
- It is advised not to cough and sneeze in the open.
- There is no medicine for nCoV.
- So far, there has been no case of nCoV in India. However, precautions are necessary.
- Keep a safe distance from patients who have a respiratory illness.
- Wash hands regularly.
- Use handkerchief while sneezing and coughing.
- Half cooked meat is not advisable.
- Wash vegetables and fruits before eating.
- Patients with lower immunity should take extra precautions.
Source: State Health Department.
