The swine flu death toll touched 118 today with three more persons succumbing to the disease. The two new cases were from Uttarakhand and Gujarat and deaths are coming from states like Andhra Pradesh. Till date, samples from 22,847 people have been tested for influenza A (H1N1) in various government laboratories across the country and 4,198 of them have been found positive, the health ministry said in a statement. Above statistics is enough to confirm that Swine Flu has reached India’s shore – what’s really sad to note is that Indian govt’s lack of initiative towards educating citizens on Swine flu symptoms/precautions etc. Let me start off with a small observation about Swine Flu – and how it is being tackled by the ever “respectable” authorities inside the country. Here are some facts: 1. Search for “Swine Flu Govt of USA” on google search – the first result points to http://www.pandemicflu.gov/ 2. Search for “Health Ministry Ireland Swine Flu” on google search – the first result points to http://www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/ 3. Search for “Swine Flu Govt of India” – the first page fails to point to any page hosted by the Government of India (rather it takes you to all the news sites). The information presented so far might make the readers believe that there is no such initiative being taken by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW). Well, that’s not the case. You can find the specific page here – http://www.mohfw.nic.in/SWINEFLU.htm Who’s Responsible? I will stop short of dissecting this page or even comparing it against the 2 other links provided above. The amount of crisp and forthcoming information being provided by the first 2 pages is what I am looking for. Coming back to the context – is there a serious lack of resources available to the Government of India (to provide information about the disease)? Are there not enough people who will create a perfect e-home for the Swine Flu pandemic in our country? Or do we simply don’t care? To come out with a very honest opinion – the government’s single point contact – National Informatics Center – for all such requirements isn’t simply geared up to be the “best”. If you look at the best hospitals in Delhi (i.e. AIIMS, Apollo, Escorts / Fortis, Safdarjung), except for AIIMS, none of the websites has a mention of Swine Flu on the homepages of these institutions. And AIIMS has done the easiest thing that was there to do – link those words to the Swine Flu page at MoHFW. At the cost of sounding the utmost critic of civic agencies, I will have to make a claim. At a time when the H1N1/Swine Flu virus is getting utmost attention all across the world – can we afford to lack behind even at the “Information Propagation” stage. Is it really too much to ask – that I want to read all about Swine Flu / H1N1 sitting in the comfort of my home? I can already hear the standard argument that would be posted as a response to this “want”. The internet penetration in India is minuscule and the government has taken appropriate steps through other information mediums. Being from Delhi, I can only provide facts about Delhi. However, there is little chance that those facts cannot be extrapolated to be found true all across the country. Tune into any of the radio stations like 91.1, 92.7, 93.5 or 98.3 FM – and keep yourself tuned for the next 24 hours. Tell me the number of times you hear a government solicited campaign trying to tell you about Swine Flu. If these radio stations can provide some recording of dates like 1st and 2nd May 2009 – listen to them again for 24 hours. And count the number of times you hear a Congress or BJP poll campaign. Well, it is no surprise what number would win this game. It’s high time that our civic agencies, the concerned ministries went overboard onto the information bandwagon. There is no single information medium that could possibly be overlooked in today’s times. And if the private players in the Health Care sector are not going to participate in such ventures, there is only a particular section of the “aam-junta” that’s going to feel “informed”. Isn’t it morally binding upon the Apollo’s and Fortis to be forthcoming on what the H1N1 virus is all about? What are the symptoms? What are the precautions? How does the virus spread? Ignorance by Government: Recently, the first batches of swine flu vaccine rolled out from Baxter Inc labs but there’s little to cheer for India. While the first supplies from Baxter went to the British … [Read more...]
FAQ: Swine Flu and You
In India, Swine Flu is spreading like wild fire. So, it is high time for you to take some precautionary measures and learn the DO’s and DONT’s. This article tries to enlighten you on some facts about swine influenza A (H1N1) virus. What is new influenza A (H1N1)? Swine flu (also referred to as novel H1N1 virus) is a new virus that hasn't spread before among humans. The virus was first detected in people in the United States in April 2009. This virus is spreading from person-to-person worldwide, probably in much the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread. Why is 2009 H1N1 virus called “swine flu”? This virus was originally referred to as “swine flu” because laboratory testing showed that many of the genes in this new virus were very similar to influenza viruses that normally occur in pigs (swine) in North America. But further study has shown that this new virus is very different from what normally circulates in North American pigs. It has two genes from flu viruses that normally circulate in pigs in Europe and Asia and bird (avian) genes and human genes. Scientists call this a "quadruple reassortant" virus. Why is this strain of flu causing so much concern? It's a brand new mutation that's never been seen before. That's why it's not just hitting people in the highest risk groups — those over 65 and younger than two. How does swine flu spread? Human infection with swine flu viruses are most likely to occur when people are in close proximity to infected pigs, such as in pig barns and livestock exhibits at fairs. Human-to-human transmission of swine flu can also occur. This is thought to occur in the same way as seasonal flu occurs in people, which is mainly person-to-person transmission through coughing or sneezing of people infected with the flu virus. How long can an infected person spread this virus to others? People infected with seasonal and 2009 H1N1 flu shed virus and may be able to infect others from 1 day before getting sick to 5 to 7 days after. This can be longer in some people, especially children and people with weakened immune systems and in people infected with the new H1N1 virus. What are the symptoms of swine flu in humans? The symptoms of swine flu in people are expected to be similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal influenza and include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some people with swine flu also have reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. How does swine flu kill? Swine flu — just like any other flu — is a respiratory infection. It exploits a weakened immune system to attack major organs — especially your lungs. When it gets into your lungs, it can lead to pneumonia, which can kill you. The flu can also cause secondary infections in your body — any of which can lead to failure of vital organs and death. What is the best technique for washing my hands to avoid getting the flu? Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. Wash with soap and water or clean with alcohol-based hand cleaner. CDC recommends that when you wash your hands - with soap and warm water - that you wash for 15 to 20 seconds. Should I wear a face mask or respirator? There's a difference between a face mask and a respirator. A face mask does not seal tightly to the face. Face masks include masks labeled as surgical, dental, medical procedure, isolation, or laser masks. Respirators are N95 or higher filtering face pieces that fit snugly on the face. Respirators, when correctly adjusted, filter out virus particles - but it's hard to breathe through them for extended periods. People who have flu-like symptoms should carry disposable tissues to cover their coughs and sneezes. When going out in public, or when sharing common spaces around the home with family members, they should put on a face mask - if one is available and tolerable. People not at risk of severe flu illness can best protect themselves from swine flu with frequent handwashing and by staying at least six feet away from people with flu symptoms. But if swine flu is circulating in the community, a face mask or respirator may be protective in crowded public places. Can people catch swine flu from eating pork? No. Swine flu viruses are not transmitted by food. You cannot get swine flu from eating pork or pork products. You won't get swine flu from handling uncooked pork either. You can get sick from putting uncooked or undercooked pork in your mouth, but you won't get swine flu. Can I catch swine flu by eating imported fruits? It's also … [Read more...]
September 1: Swine Flu cases update
Swine Flu is now in full swing across the country while deaths are reported from Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat and Rajasthan. Number of Indians died from Swine Flu is now reached to 103. Swine FLu is still confined to urban areas. If Swine Flu spreads to small towns and rural areas, Government may find it difficult to control this disease due to poor health care standards in many parts of country. India reported first Swine Flu case in May and first Swine Flu death on August 3rd. More than 100 people died in less than 30 days. Mortality from Swine Flu in India is 25 per 1,000 cases while it is 2-6 per 1,000 cases in developed nations. That is really an unfortunate thing. Worst affected Maharashtra accounted for 54 deaths off which 32 deaths occurred in Pune. More than 1650 positive cases are reported in Maharashtra alone. Rajasthan reported first Swine Flu death which may adversely impact this tourism dependant state. Bangalore reported another death which takes total deaths in Karnataka to 27. Total confirmed cases in Karnataka are now at 485 which is the worst affected state after Maharashtra. Gujarat reported another death which took total number of Swine Flu deaths in Gujarat to 9. H1N1 denotes Swine Flu while H5N1 denotes meningitis. But, viral meningitis rarely causes deaths unlike Bacterial meningitis. But, bacteria are not responsible for Swine Flu. Swine Flu cases: 1. Maharashtra: 1,650 cases 2. Delhi: 667 cases 3. Karnataka: 485 cases 4. Tamil Nadu: 379 cases 5. Andhra Pradesh: 203 cases 6. Kerala: 18 cases Note: In my town, Government allotted just 10 beds for suspected cases. Can you control pandemics like Swine Flu with this infrastructure? … [Read more...]
Swine Flu pandemic information
Swine Flu: It is a type of viral influenza disease and generally affects pigs. But when humans are affected, it spreads from person to person in a contagious manner. Diagnosis: It is very difficult to diagnose because many flu diseases have similar symptoms like fever, cough, sore throat and body pains etc. Frankly, even experienced doctors find it difficult to diagnose Swine Flu. In these times, many doctors tend to treat every respiratory infection as Swine Flu as a precautionary measure. Many countries do not even have labs to diagnose this disease. Current alert level is 6 (maximum). Swine Flu Pandemic: What is pandemic? We call an infectious disease as “Pandemic” when it affects more countries/continents. In extreme cases, whole world will be affected. Epidemics generally confine to one country or continent. In these times, pandemics are causing more financial loss than human deaths. That is bad news for economy especially in the context of current slowdown. According to experts, strain might have moved into humans from pigs in Mexico 1 year back before breaking out recently. According to them, “it is too late to control from spreading”. World Health Organization officially declared "Swine Flu" as pandemic on June 11, 2009 but it has been showing its real impact from July last week onwards. This is the first global Pandemic after 41 years and we don't know how it behave in this "second wave". First wave (April-May) was less severe than WHO estimated. Last global pandemic: Hong Kong flu of 1968. Precaution: Wear N95 mask and protect from Swine Flu. Hope: Swine Flu vaccine may be available by late October in India. Swine flue cases estimates in India: 1. By November 15: 1,50,000 Indians will become Swine Flu victims. 2. By December 31, 2009: 1 crore Indians will be affected by Swine Flu. 3. By August 31, 2010: 30 crore Indians will be affected by Swine Flu. Japan is expecting 7 lakh cases per day in winter. According to estimates, 50% of Americans will suffer from mild to severe Swine Flu in winter. Important note: Death rate is generally 1-3 per 1,000 but it will be 5-6 in countries like India due to poor health standards. People suffering from Diabetes, BP and Asthma are at more risk along with pregnant women. In Bangalore, most of the Swine Flu deaths are in the age group of 25-30. Bangalore is the second most affected city after Pune. … [Read more...]
Swine Flu: Symptoms, precautions and treatment
What is Swine flu? Swine is the biological name that refers to pigs. Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses (H1N1 subtype) that causes regular outbreaks in pigs. Swine influenza is a common viral infection that affects pigs all over the world. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. Symptoms in pigs: Swine flu causes fever and severe weight loss along with breathing problems in pigs. Though the flu is deemed to be severe, it rarely results in the death of the pigs. In most of the cases when the affected pig is pregnant, it results in the death of the baby pigs. This flu is also known as H1N1 flu. The flu has a very high proficiency of spreading quickly and in large numbers. Swine Flu Symptoms in humans: The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu that include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhoea and vomiting associated with swine flu. It can also result in sudden weight loss, dry coughing, pain in the muscles and joints and frequent dizziness as a result of weakness of the body. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions Swine flu in pigs: Once a pig is affected by the disease, it easily transmits the disease causing virus to the other pigs. The most common is through direct contact with the healthy ones by touching each others' noses. This along with sneezing or coughing directly spreads the virus through the atmosphere. Swine flu in humans: There have been only a few occurrences of the original swine flu since the past century. The virus responsible for this pandemic disease is a result of a mixture of strands of the normal swine virus, human influenza virus and avian influenza virus. Spread of this particular strain of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is thought to be happening in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose. It is rumored that it spreads through consumption of pork. Scientists and researchers have confirmed that the probability of such occurrences is minimal. Swine Flu Precautions: The WHO had released a worldwide alert on the spread of the disease and also directed the countries to take the necessary measures to prevent it from spreading further. One can prevent getting infected by taking the following measures: - Avoid touching your mouth and nose; - Clean hands thoroughly with soap and water, or cleanse them with an alcohol-based hand rub on a regular basis (especially if touching the mouth and nose, or surfaces that are potentially contaminated); - Avoid close contact with people who might be ill. Try to maintain a distance of about 1 meter if possible - Reduce the time spent in crowded settings if possible; - Improve airflow in your living space by opening windows; - Practice good health habits including adequate sleep, eating nutritious food, and keeping physically active - If you are sick, limit your contact with other people as much as possible. - Do not go to work; stay at home or in your hotel room. - Cover your mouth and nose with a mask when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. - Put your used tissue in the waste basket. Cover your cough or sneeze if you do not have a mask. - A person should seek medical care if they experience shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, or if a fever continues more than three days. Common Queries on Swine Flu: 1) What is WHO stands on using a mask? If you are not sick you do not have to wear a mask. If you are caring for a sick person, you can wear a mask when you are in close contact with the ill person and dispose of it immediately after contact, and cleanse your hands thoroughly afterwards. 2) Should I go to work if I have the flu but am feeling OK? No. Whether you have influenza A (H1N1) or a seasonal influenza, you should stay home and away from work through the duration of your symptoms. This is a precaution that can protect your work colleagues and others. 3) Can I travel? If you are feeling unwell or have symptoms of influenza, you should not travel. If you have any doubts about your health, you should check with your health … [Read more...]
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