Flu hits Kashmir, doctors say no cause for panic

Panic has gripped the Kashmir valley after an acute viral respiratory tract infection hit school-going children across the region. Following the outbreak, doctors have advised parents not to send infected kids to school for some days as they could infect other students.

However, they have also issued an advisory urging people not to panic as the virus is expected to disappear within a week or two, once the weather improves with a rise in temperatures.

"It is (a) seasonal viral infection. It will go in a week or 15 days time. It is a self limiting disease. Although it has caused discomfort to the children and adults, there is nothing to panic about," said Dr KK Pandita, Medical Superintendent of GB Pant Children Hospital in Srinagar.

Caused by viral pathogens including rhinovirus, para-influenza, adenovirus and influenza virus, the acute viral respiratory tract infection is a contagious illness that spreads every year from October through the spring.

"Our workload has doubled. If we were attending to 1,000 patients in our outpatient department (OPD) per day (before the spread of infection), now we are catering to 2,000 patients in our hospital. However, it is not severe," Dr Pandita told DNA.

Meanwhile, schools are feeling the heat as infected students are posing a challenge to teachers, as well. School managements have been calling parents, urging them to take their infected wards home.

"Many students are unable to walk because they suffer from fever and other symptoms. The parents are unaware and pass it off as minor illness. But given their condition, we ask them to take their children till their condition stabilises", said a teacher at a private school.

Under pressure from a worried populace, the Directorate of Health services Kashmir (DHSK) has issued an advisory detailing Dos and Don'ts to prevent the infection's spread in the Valley.

"Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Stay home if you are sick. Limit contact with others to keep they away from infection. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, specially after coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose. Stay away from people who are sick," said the health advisory from the division of epidemiology and public health.

Epidemiologists, however, have said there is no cause to shut schools. "You do not have to shut the schools as per the guidelines. The infection affects children under the age of five and people above 65 years," said Dr SM Qadri, Epidemiologist of DHSK.