Meghalaya govt issues advisory over coronavirus outbreak in China

Shillong: Meghalaya health minister AL Hek informed that the state is taking precautions with regards to the ongoing outbreak of novel Corona Virus (nCoV) or coronavirus in China.

“We have written to the Airports Authority of India in Guwahati and Umroi to be alert with passengers coming from that affected area like China, Seoul or any other places nearby,” he said.

Hek also informed that that the state is prepared with all personal protection equipment and masks have been made available in the state though no cases have been reported so far. “We will be alert if any suspected cases come; we will send the blood sample to National Institute of Virology (NIV) Pune for testing,” said Hek.

Adding that they would be alert for travellers coming from those affected areas, having any clinical symptoms like cold, cough and headache.

Meanwhile the department of health and family welfare issued an advisory concerning the outbreak of nCoV. With several students from Meghalaya studying in China, the state government ensured that precautions were taken.

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The advisory mentioned that the state health department has requested any person who has travelled in the past one month to China and other countries, where the positive coronavirus cases have been reported, to self-identify themselves irrespective of whether having any symptoms or not by calling the 24-hour Meghalaya GVK EMRI helpline number 108.

The call operator will then give directions as to what is to be done next. This is to ensure that no symptomatic cases are missed out within the incubation period.

Travellers who had come from the affected areas and the general public are advised to adhere to the following standard health measures for prevention and control.

The advisory further mentioned that, those with travel history to the affected areas or exposed to a confirmed case of nCoV infection in the past one month with symptoms of fever and cough should immediately wear face mask, isolate oneself and call up 108 and inform the nearby health facility for further directions.

“Frequently, clean your hands by using alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water. When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue and dispose tissue sanitarily and immediately wash hands and avoid close contact with anyone who has fever and cough,” the advisory added.