India’s Latest Swine Flu Scare
As many as 542 people have died of swine flu or H1N1 flu in several states across the country and 6,803 cases recorded so far this year, with Maharashtra and Rajasthan registering the highest number of incidences.
Here are the reports on cases and deaths of influenza A (H1N1) based on the reports received from states/UTs to the Central Surveillance Unit, Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme, National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), till October 14, this year.
Maharashtra — 217 deaths out of 1,793 cases reported till October 14.
Rajasthan — 191 people succumbed to H1N1 complications out of 1,912 cases.
Gujarat — 45 people died out of 1,478 reported cases.
Delhi — one death and 111 cases till October 12.
In 2017, the country registered 38,811 swine flu cases of which, 2,270 people died.
What is it, and how does it spread?
Swine flu is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza virus that regularly causes outbreaks of influenza in pigs. Swine flu viruses do not normally infect humans, but the outbreak in 2009 was due to a novel influenza A virus that had not been identified in people before.
Human infection with flu viruses from pigs are most likely to occur when people are in close proximity to infected pigs, such as in pig barns. Human-to-human transmission occurs in the same way as seasonal flu, through coughing or sneezing. The disease spreads very quickly in crowded places and cold and dry weather enables the virus to survive longer. H1N1 is contagious and can spread through direct or indirect contact.
The Ignorance Factor
Doctors and health officials from states where the virus is quickly spreading have stated that a substantial percentage of deaths have been occurring due to patients reporting their symptoms late. This is in stark contrast to the situation in 2009–10 when hospitals in the country could barely keep up with the sheer number of samples that had to be tested as paranoia surrounding swine flu gripped the nation.
The global pandemic in 2009 had claimed almost 1,000 lives, largely due to a lack of preparedness and perhaps poor anticipation on the part of government authorities. Since then, the Union as well as state health departments have attempted to ensure sufficient stocks of Oseltamivir, the swine flu drug, as well as generate awareness about preventive measures.
This year, health departments of states such as Kerala and Karnataka have already issued alerts advising people to take preventive measures and check for symptoms.
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