H1N1 cases in Mumbai sporadic: Health officials

In the wake of four H1N1 deaths reported in Pune, a high level meeting of state health officials was convened in Mumbai on Saturday to assess the situation in the state.

The meeting at Mantralaya was headed by JK Banthia, additional chief secretary and attended by officials from Directorate of Health Services, Directorate of Medical Education and Research, premier research institutes like Pune’s National Institute of Virology and Mumbai’s Haffkine Institute.

The deliberations centered on understanding the reasons for the spurt in H1N1 cases. While scientists confirmed that no mutation were reported in the H1N1 virus while experts said the four deaths and rising number of cases should be termed sporadic.

“Of four patients who died, three had other co-morbid conditions like cancer, diabetes, hypertension and Down’s syndrome, hence there is no need to create a scare or panic,” said Banthia.

“Experts have determined two major reasons favourable to the spread of swine flu. The last outbreak was reported over a year and half ago. The herd immunity people developed after that is on the decline hence people with compromised immunity due to pre-existing morbidities like diabetes, hypertension, cardiac illness, cancer etc are more susceptible,” said Dr Pradeep Awate, state surveillance officer.

The other reason could be erratic temperatures. “The sudden cold wave in February following by the current transition period and difference in diurnal temperatures are favourable conditions for influenza infections like swine flu,” said Awate.