Chennai: Though there are reports that the H1N1 flu is spreading in the state, Southern Railway is yet to start fumigating the three trains operated to Mumbai — Chennai-CST (1027) Mail, the CST-Chennai (1041) Express and the Dadar-Chennai Egmore (2163) Express.
Flu-prevention measures, that were put in place based on the instructions from the state health department, still revolve around screening passengers. Rakes that come from Mumbai are cleaned in a routine way and are then readied for the return trip. The coaches of the rake are washed if they are taken to the yard.
The rake of the CST-Mumbai Mail that arrives at Chennai Central at 5 am is not taken to the yard because it goes back as the Chennai Central-Mumbai Express at 11.45 am. “The rake remains on the platform and a basic cleaning exercise is taken up there. For fumigation to start, the rake will have to be taken to the yard, which will be time-consuming,” said a railway official.
According to Geethalakshmi, head of the department of microbiology at the Madras Medical College, fumigating is the best way to disinfect trains. “Theinfected secretions can survive anywhere. So, the coaches should be fumigated after giving it a foam wash. The wash is important because organic matter should be cleaned away.”
Southern Railway chief medical director Dr A Elangovan said “We have given instruction to fumigate the trains if any of the passengers tested positive for H1N1 flu.” Meanwhile, the medical department of the railway zone has sought permission to treat patients infected with flu at the Railway Hospital in Perambur. “We have identified a special ward at the hospital and have also asked the director of public health to permit us to treat patients,” said Southern Railway chief medical director Dr A Elangovan. TNN
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