Adenovirus case hike: No need to panic, have arranged 5,000 beds, says CM Mamata Banerjee

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday said people should not panic unnecessarily over the adenovirus as hospitals have adequate measures to deal with the cases, the number of which has started to decline. Mamata said, "Every death of a child is painful, but many are taking advantage of this panic and trying to make a business out of it," 

The CM said cases of seasonal viruses occur every year. "This is a common seasonal occurrence of acute respiratory infection (ARI). There is currently no evidence of a viral epidemic. The current situation is nothing more than a seasonal increase, and the number of adenovirus infections has already started to decline." She added that with the adenovirus panic, parents are rushing to hospitals even if their children have minor coughs and colds, and as a result, some private hospitals are minting money.

"We have set up pediatric wards and created SNCU, PICU and NICU beds in most government hospitals. We have also created standard guidelines for case management. We have reduced the infant mortality rate to a great extent - from 25 per 1,000 live births in 2011 to 19," she said.

The CM said that 5000 beds have been prepared for the children. "It happens every year and it's more common in newborns to two-year-olds. So mothers have to be more careful because these babies can't wear masks."

"I had thought about closing down the primary schools as there were media reports. When a baby dies, the family is left shattered. If we could have saved the lives of the 12 babies it would have been great." She said that often premature and low-weight babies are referred to Kolkata from Malda and Murshidabad and it takes six to seven hours for them to reach. They often deteriorate on the way, she pointed out. "So, try to use available resources like telemedicine," she advised.

Chief secretary H K Dwivedi said that he had held a meeting with experts and advised people not to panic as the situation is under control. He said out of 5,213 only 12 had ARI and this is considered to be normal. "We will also hold a meeting with the principals and health officers. The primary health centres are referring patients unnecessarily to the Kolkata hospitals. We are alert about the situation and we are monitoring the situation as this is also happening in all states. All patients are under control, there is nothing to spread panic".