📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Health
Jharkhand on high alert as health minister orders hospitals to set aside beds for swine flu
✍️ The Economic Times
🗓 30 Aug 2026, 04:19 PM
👁 3
Jharkhand's health department has raised a high alert for swine flu, directing all hospitals to earmark beds and intensify surveillance across the state.
Jharkhand's health ministry announced a state‑wide high alert for swine flu after health officials noted an upward trend in cases. The health minister instructed every public and private hospital to reserve a portion of their inpatient capacity for potential flu patients and to step up active surveillance.
The directive comes amid reports of sporadic swine‑flu infections in neighboring states, prompting authorities to act pre‑emptively to avoid a larger outbreak. Hospitals have been asked to report any suspected cases immediately to the district health office.
Officials also emphasized the need for rapid diagnostic testing and timely treatment, urging clinicians to follow national treatment protocols. Public health teams will conduct door‑to‑door awareness drives, focusing on hygiene, mask usage, and early reporting of symptoms.
The health minister reiterated that the measures are precautionary and that the state is prepared to mobilise additional resources, including antiviral medicines, should the situation worsen.
The directive comes amid reports of sporadic swine‑flu infections in neighboring states, prompting authorities to act pre‑emptively to avoid a larger outbreak. Hospitals have been asked to report any suspected cases immediately to the district health office.
Officials also emphasized the need for rapid diagnostic testing and timely treatment, urging clinicians to follow national treatment protocols. Public health teams will conduct door‑to‑door awareness drives, focusing on hygiene, mask usage, and early reporting of symptoms.
The health minister reiterated that the measures are precautionary and that the state is prepared to mobilise additional resources, including antiviral medicines, should the situation worsen.