Two deaths later, H1N1 scare back to haunt Mumbai this monsoon

With the dreaded H1N1 virus beginning to rear its head once again this monsoon, civic health authorities do not want to leave anything to chance. After the recent deaths of two pregnant women at Sion hospital due to the virus, authorities are taking all necessary precautions to stop the spread.

“Maharashtra has seen 497 deaths due to H1N1 so far, and on an average about 20 deaths every month,” said Dr Pradeep Awate, head of the H1N1 control room for Maharashtra. However, even though the civic health authorities are being cautious, they stress that there is no need to panic. “There’s no appreciable rise in H1N1 cases,” said Manisha Mhaiskar, additional municipal commissioner. “We have alerted the health machinery, and are keeping a watch. Should the situation arise, all standard operating procedures (SOPs) prepared in August last year will be put into practice.”

Like any typical respiratory virus, the H1N1 virus has been in the air all along, is what experts feel. In Maharashtra, the H1N1 outbreak was at its peak during the monsoon last year — July-August. Thus, doctors are being extra cautious this monsoon.

“The change of season has already brought a surge in the number of people suffering from cold, cough and fever. Viral fever is already in the air,” said Dr SN Acharya, a general practitioner. “The humid weather conditions are very conducive to the survival of respiratory viruses like H1N1.”

One major concern is that viral fever is already doing the rounds in Mumbai and last year many cases of viral fever, were reported as swine flu, due to panic. “This should be avoided,” said Dr Jayesh Lele, secretary, Indian Medical Association (Mumbai-West branch). “Considering that swine flu made an appearance around this time last year, it cannot be ruled out. However, it is too early to predict the course of the virus.”

However, according to the IMA, Mumbai is definitely geared up to tackle a H1N1 outbreak. But, it would be advisable for people in the high-risk category - ones suffering from chronic pulmonary disease like asthma, chronic metabolic diseases like diabetes, chronic cardiovascular diseases, chronic renal dysfunction and haemoglobinopathies like thalassaemia, or sickle disorder and immunosupression - to take extra care. “We are also trying to investigate and take swabs for H1N1 diagnosis from all hospitals now,” added Dr GT Ambe, executive health officer.

The H1N1 virus also commonly seems to affect youngsters and pregnant women as opposed to influenza, which affects the elderly. “Any disease during pregnancy is a cause for concern. Pregnancy puts a stress on the body, and any other problem just tends to complicate matters,” said Dr Nandita Palshetkar, consultant gynaecologist, Lilavati Hospital. “My advice to pregnant women would be to avoid crowded areas, use handkerchiefs, hand sanitizers, try to maintain high immunity levels by exercising and have a healthy diet.”

Source http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_first-swine-flu-death-in-eight-months-reported-in-mumbai_1393203