15 June,2009 06:15 PM IST | | MiDDAY Correspondent
A scary warning from the government of India u00e2u0080u0093 the worst of the swine flu epidemic is yet to come after monsoon.
Six more per sons tested positive for the A-H1N1 swine flu virus in different parts of the country on Sunday. The total number of confirmed infections in India is now stands at 23.
The Union health ministry held a high-level review meeting with officials of the National Disaster Management Authority and the National Institute of Communicable Diseases to ensure the disease does not spread with the monsoon looming.
Health Secretary Naresh Dayal said, "Till now it has been under control because of the summer heat but we fear that once the temperature becomes cooler the virus might proliferate."
"We are happy that this time it is not proliferating so much because the temperature is high. But after the monsoon there is a chance that it can come again," he added.
However, the health minister said that the level six pandemic of the WHO is not applicable for India.
On Thursday, the World Health Organization had officially declared a swine flu pandemic, the first global flu epidemic in 41 years.
Admitting that the upcoming monsoon may change the swine flu scenario, BMC executive health officer Dr Jayraj Thanekar admitted that humidity and temperature change could play a big part. "We do not know what change to anticipate but yes, the monsoons may prove conducive for the virus. There could be new issues to deal with," he said.
The state that has now only been screening international passengers has stepped up vigilance and has now distributed Tamiflu to all 33 state district offices.
"200 capsules each have been distributed and regional health officers are being trained to detect symptoms. Since there have been confirmed cases in other parts of the country we cannot take the risk of ignoring possible cross border infections and so in case patients are displaying symptoms and are far away from Mumbai, they can be quarantined and treated," said Dr Uddhav Gawande, deputy director, state health services.
Gawande also said that increased measures were taken keeping the upcoming monsoons in mind. "The virus is a new, so there is only speculation at this moment but we are taking extra measures in case there is an increase," he said.
A day earlier it had said 74 countries had reported more than 27,700 cases of swine flu, including 141 deaths.
On Sunday, two confirmed cases were reported in Bangalore, one was reported in Delhi and Hyderabad, the epicenter of the disease in the country at the moment reported three. The cases in Hyderabad are on the pattern noticed till now.
| Factoids What is Swine flu? Swine influenza (also called swine flu, hog flu, and pig flu) is an infection of a host animal by any one of several specific types of microscopic organisms called "swine influenza virus". Is it safe to take pork items? Pigs have nothing to do with this disease.u00a0 Pork products are absolutely safe if properly cooked.u00a0 There is no need to cull pigs.u00a0 Do not panic if some pigs die in the community due to natural disease. Is this flu virus contagious? Influenza A (H1N1) virus is contagious and spreading from human to human. What are the signs and symptoms of influenza-A (H1N1) in people? The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular seasonal flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue.u00a0 Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with influenza-A (H1N1) How does influenza-A (H1N1) spread? Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through droplets created while coughing or sneezing by a person infected with the influenza-A (H1N1). How can someone with the flu infect someone else? Infected person may be able to infect others beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to seven or more days after becoming sick. How to keep away from getting the flu? First and most important:u00a0 Follow simple steps as cough etiquettes (covering mouth & nose with handkerchief or tissue paper while coughing), stay at least an arm's length from persons coughing or sneezing, avoid gathering and wash your hands frequently.u00a0 Try to stay in good general health.u00a0 Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious food. Are there medicines to treat this flu? Yes.u00a0 Necessary medicines in sufficient quantity are available.u00a0 The Government has in the designated hospitals stored medicines if required.u00a0 It is strongly advisable not to take medicines of your own, as it will lower your immunity. What can I do to protect myself from getting sick? u00a0(a)u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.u00a0 Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. (b)u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze.u00a0 Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective. (c)u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.u00a0 Germs spread this way. (d)u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 Try to avoid close contact with people having respiratory illness. (e)u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 If one gets sick with influenza, one must stay at home, away from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.u00a0 However, if one is having any respiratory distress, one should report to a nearby hospital. |
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