Pune doctors advise caution against swine flu

With the monsoon in full swing, doctors in the city have advised people to exercise caution to prevent getting infected by the deadly influenza-A H1N1 virus.

They have advised that in the case of symptoms of severe acute respiratory illnesses, people should immediately get in touch with medical practitioners. The doctors’ advice come at a time when the Serum Institute of India had trashed about 2 million doses of intra-nasal swine flu vaccine, Nasovac, as there was no demand for it in the market since October last year. The firm has also drastically cut down its Nasovac production.

Swine flu had assumed pandemic proportions worldwide, including India, in 2009. Pune was the epicentre of the infection in India and saw 80 deaths due to the swine flu.

Dr Somnath Pardeshi, assistant medical officer of health in the Pune Municipal Corporation, said six people had tested positive for H1N1 virus since April this year.

“Although there are no signs of a resurgence of the infection now, people must practice precautions as prescribed by the World Health Organisation at the start of the pandemic in 2009,’’ added Dr Pardeshi.

According to him, since April this year, a total of 43,105 people were screened for suspected cases of swine flu in the 15 screening centres of the city.

“The rainy season also signals the start of the normal influenza season for India. In view of this, it is best that we practice caution, as that would prevent the spread of normal influenza or H1N1,’’ he said. Dr D Kadam, professor and head of the department of medicine at BJ Medical College and Sassoon Hospital, also agreed about the absence of any alarming signs of resurgence of swine flu in the city. “We have not received any positive cases as of now,’’ he said.

Family physicians also warn against self -medication, in case of flu-like symptoms. Dr Nandkishore Mantri said, “Instead of self-medication, a doctor should be consulted.”