Swine flu crisis deepens

One more person has tested positive for H1N1 influenza, taking the count of confirmed cases in the city to 19. The pandemic, however, has been mild in India so far, even though it continues to affect more people each day.

The 23-year-old girl from Chembur had travelled to Bangkok on July 19th and returned within six days. She was admitted to the Kasturba Hospital on Monday after developing symptoms and subsequently tested positive for the virus.

Cautioned by the sudden eruption of positive cases in Pune and now at Panchgani, the state government has decided to keep options ready in case there is a sudden surge of cases in Mumbai. More than 100 have already been quarantined so far in the city. “JJ Hospital has been kept as a back-up in case Kasturba Hospital is overloaded with cases,” said Dr Pradeep Awate, in-charge of the state’s swine flu cell.

“We have already supplied the required drugs and equipment to JJ Hospital in case there is an emergency situation,” he said. He insisted that people should not panic as the swine flu has so far exhibited symptoms more or less similar to the  seasonal flu.

“Ideally, one can treat swine flu patients  with normal flu medication. Only a handful may need Tamiflu, and only if their condition is deteriorating,” said Awate. “But we cannot take any chances as the medical fraternity does not know how the flu may behave later,” he said, explaining why every patient is being given a five-day course of Tamiflu. Besides, the virus is known to cause mild illnesses in some countries and attack more virulently in others.

About three weeks ago, Indian scientists got down to isolating the virus and study its
behaviour. Also, Serum Institute, along with some pharmaceutical companies, has started the process to develop a vaccine. Some global companies are already in the race and a vaccine is expected to hit the market by September or October.

But, will the vaccine help contain the flu? Consultant of Infectious Diseases at the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Dr Tanu Singhal said that the vaccines available in the market for preventing seasonal flu will definitely not work on H1N1 Influenza.
“As much as precautions are important, it is also true that the virus has killed only those who already had some underlying ailment or were at a higher risk,” she said. She added that it is difficult to comment on the efficacy of a vaccine till it is put into use.

Awate, however, said that prevention was the key. “Vaccination may not be a solution as one does not know when this flu will strike as it is not seasonal,” he said, adding that when the idea is to protect lakhs, a vaccine may not be that effective. 

    When contacted, executive health officer of BMC Dr Jairaj Thanekar said that swine flu was not really a problem in the city now.