Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Oct 25: Following three swine flu deaths at Kashmir Valley’s Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) Soura here, Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) today set up round the clock helpline numbers for public awareness.
The DAK president and flu expert, Dr Nisar-ul-Hassan said communicators on these helpline numbers are expert doctors and will address public concerns on swine flu from today. “Effective communication to public is vital to prevent the spread of the disease and is an intervention in its own right,” he said.
The DAK President said people are entitled to credible and consistent information which is critical for containment of the disease. “Moreover, these helpline numbers will address to the public anxiety and panic created by flu deaths,” he added. Dr Nisar said schools are advised to create awareness among children about the preventive measures of swine flu.
“Children should be encouraged to practice personal hygiene, he said, adding that advising them to wash their hands frequently and teaching them cough etiquette will prevent and control the spread of flu among children,” he said. He further said children with flu symptoms should be advised to stay at home, until they get fully cured.
Dr Nisar said swine flu is a respiratory disease which manifests with cough, fever, sorethroat, runny nose and bodyache.Flu spreads mainly by droplets when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk. “People can call and get information on 09469154840, 09419409866, 07780941488, 09419045145, 09797046707 and 09906458877,” the DAK said.
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