The Health Department has intensified the surveillance and opened isolation wards as three H1N1 deaths and 15 confirmed cases were reported from the district in November. Currently throat swab collecting centres have been set up in 10 major hospitals in Kollam and all private hospitals and drug stores have been instructed to stock oseltamivir tablets. The samples collected will be sent to the Manipal Centre for Virus Research and National Institute of Virology, Alappuzha unit, for diagnosis. Nearly 150 patients were screened for confirming the 15 cases till Wednesday. “Though there is no sudden surge in the number of cases we have issued an alert. We have informed schools not to insist on medical certificates and to follow strict cough hygiene to prevent spreading of the disease,” said district surveillance officer R. Sandhya. Fever with or without body pain, cough, difficulty in breathing, sore throat, headache, vomiting and diarrhoea are some of the main symptoms. If infected, complications may develop in the case of pregnant women, children, elderly persons and those with co-morbidities such as diabetes, cancer and hypertension. “Oseltamivir tablets have been made available in all Primary Health Centres and Community Health Centres. We have asked all private hospitals to get the tablets from Karunya centres and all drug stores have been informed through drug inspectors,” said Dr. Sandhya. The Department has also urged the public to take all necessary preventive measures along with following basic hygiene guidelines. Avoid self-medication “The public should get medical help for all kinds of fever and avoid self medication. It's necessary to start treatment within 48 hours,” said District Medical Officer V.V. Shirley. Oseltamivir tablets have been made available in all Primary Health Centres and Community Health Centres Throat swab collecting centres have been set up in 10 major hospitals Oseltamivir tablets have been made available in all Primary Health Centres