‘H1N1 virus spreading rapidly in Bangalore, but we’re ready’

As many as 62 persons have been tested positive for H1N1 in Bangalore.

However, even as the health and family welfare service data show that there are only 48 persons tested positive for Influenza A (H1N1) in the state, the department of Neurovirology, Nimhans, has said that there are 71 cases in the state, of which 62 alone were in Bangalore.

Dr V Ravi, professor of neurovirology, Nimhans, said: “In the state, we have screened 475 samples from January to April. Of them, one case was in Chickaballapura district and four cases in Mysore and Gulbarga.”

It is also observed that the virus has spread much faster than it did in 2009 and 2010. “We have noticed that the spread of the virus has happened much faster than it happened in 2009 or 2010. The percentage of spread has also increased,” he explained.

Every day, the department gets 15 to 20 samples of swabs for Influenza A testing.

“Though there are studies conducted in this regard, the gene mutation of the virus is also happening rapidly. Influenza A is a combination of human, pig and bird viruses. They mutate almost every year, making it hard for the scientists to find a new vaccine every year. Hence, every year they will have to get newer vaccines for the disease,” said Shashidhar Buggi, director, Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Diseases.

Even as the department has shown deep concern over the issue, it is only a matter of time before there may be an outbreak in the state capital. However, doctors say that the state is better prepared to take on the issue this time, as there is a lab in Bangalore to get test results faster.

“In 2009, we had to send the swabs to Pune. The time it took to get the results back were also too long. Now, we can get the results faster,” he said.

The department of neurovirology being the only government department has tied up with 92 hospitals in the state, including Narayana hospitals, Military Command hospitals and Manipal hospitals in Bangalore.