District administration organises media sensitization meet on coronavirus

February 5: A Media Sensitization Meet on Novel Coronavirus was held on Wednesday under the Chairmanship of Barnali Sharma, Deputy Commissioner, Cachar in presence of ADC Rajib Roy, Dr. S.J. Das, Jt. Director of Health Services, Dr. Ajit Bhattacharjee, DSO, IDSP, Rahul Ghose, DPM, NHM and Suman Choudhury, District Media Expert, NHM, Cachar.

Dr. Ajit Bhattacharjee made a detailed presentation on Novel Coronavirus. He told that “Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of virus that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). A novel coronavirus (nCoV) is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans”.

Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.

Standard recommendations to prevent infection spread include regular hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, thoroughly cooking meat and eggs. Avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing. Dr. S.J. Das, Jt. Director of Health Services informed that strict vigil is kept on the passengers travelling by air.

Medical teams were deputed at the Silchar airport to screen the passengers. The M.G. Model Hospital, Tikal is being kept ready to handle any grave situation. Eight beds are designated and kept in isolation ward in the Silchar Medical College & Hospital. However, those who don’t have any travel history in the affected countries have almost no chance of getting this infection.

Suman Choudhury, District Media Expert informed that to avoid mass panic about the disease, the awareness activities are limited to only vulnerable group. Barnali Sharma, DC, Cachar urged the public not get panicked by reading misleading information on social media. She also informed that the Health & Family Welfare Department is ready to cope up with the situation. It was further informed that in case of any emergency, people can contact in this helpline number 6913347770/1/2/3.