Swine flu having made its presence felt in Jharkhand, with two positive cases and at least half a dozen suspects, the government is oiling its well-being machinery by releasing awareness posters and pamphlets across the state.

East Singhbhum, where a seven-month-old boy is being treated at Tata Main Hospital in Jamshedpur, is taking the task at hand seriously. Around 50 flex hoardings and 500 pamphlets, which arrived from Ranchi on Tuesday evening, are being put up in places of "high visibility".

"The awareness campaign will be launched near schools, colleges, hospitals, health centres, roundabouts, important arteries, rural markets and so on. The idea is to grab everyone's attention. People must be aware of the symptoms of the H1N1 flu and preventive measures. This will help stem panic and make way for proper treatment," said viral disease surveillance officer Sahir Pal.

The district health department has all state-run heal hubs like the Sadar Hospital in Khasmahal and MGM Medical College and Hospital in Sakchi in special focus in its poster war against swine flu. "Health centres and hospitals see heavy footfall every day. Pamphlets and hoardings in such places will create greater awareness," explained Pal.

The district disease surveillance team has already had talks with schools for special sessions when its officials can tell students about swine flu and how to maintain personal hygiene (see box) to beat it. "Symptoms of the H1N1 flu includes high fever, runny nose, sore throat, headache, muscle pain and even diarrhoea and vomiting. These should never be ignored and children too must know that," said Pal.

Dr Ramesh Kumar, the state director of Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), said all civil surgeons had been directed to generate mass awareness on swine flu through IEC (information, education and communication) materials. "Flex hoardings must be put up at railway station, bus stands and the airport," he said.

Ranchi civil surgeon Gopal Srivastava said they had set up a swine flu help desk at the local station. "Posters are also being put up. A flex hoarding is already in place at the airport and another is in the process of installation at Ranchi and Hatia stations," he added.

East Singhbhum surveillance officer Pal said he had already written to Tatanagar superintendent Awtar Singh and Jamshedpur Notified Area Committee special officer Dipak Sahay for screening facilities at the railway station and Sitaramdera bus terminus.

"A doctor and a paramedic will screen passengers with fever or any other suggestive symptom and offer counselling on which health centre or hospital to visit," he added.

Tatanagar acting superintendent O.P. Sharma said a screening centre would come up on platform No. 1 by Thursday. "We have allotted space and are ready to extend all logistic support to the disease surveillance team," he said.

JNAC special officer Sahay said they had planned a joint visit to Sitaramdera terminus with health officials to screen passengers.

Do you think the district is equipped to tackle swine flu?

Tell ttkhand@abpmail.com