Hek asks people not to panic
SHILLONG: Thirty-seven students pursuing higher studies in China have returned to Meghalaya following the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (nCoV).
Health and Family Welfare spokesperson Dr M Marbaniang said the students did not show any symptoms of the coronavirus and are staying at their respective homes. “We are following up on them every day and all of them are fine,” Marbaniang said. She said that most of the students are pursuing higher studies, especially medicine, in China’s Wangdong, Sichuan and Yunnan provinces.
The government doctors are also advising them on do’s and don’ts after their arrival from China.
It is learnt that the Health department has activated the Integrated Disease Surveillance Team and Rapid Response Team to tackle the disease in case of any outbreak.
Meanwhile, Health & Family Welfare Minister AL Hek reiterated that the state is ready to tackle any eventuality even as he informed that all the District Medical Health Officers and CHCs/ PHCs have been directed to remain alert. Asking people not to panic, he added that personal protective equipment are available in the state, adding that even the airports in Guwahati and Umroi have been asked to remain alert. Coronaviruses are a group of viruses that cause diseases in mammals, including humans, and birds. In humans, the virus causes respiratory infections which are typically mild but, in rare cases, can be lethal.
In cows and pigs they may cause diarrhea, while in chickens it can cause an upper respiratory disease.
The state government earlier had issued an advisory while asking people coming from the affected area to contact 108 Ambulance service and other officials of the Health department.