As per the update of WHO, as of 31 of July 2009, 168 countries and overseas territories/communities have reported a cumulative total of 162380 laboratory confirmed cases of pandemic (H1N1) 09. All continents are affected by the pandemic (The alert level is phase 6). There were 1154 deaths.
In India as per the reports appeared, the highly infectious disease claimed two lives, one in Mumbai and another in Pune. Schools in Pune and Mumbai are being closed as a precautionary measure. The assurances of readiness given earlier by the Health Ministry seem to be premature and as it looks, the preparedness is grossly inadequate. Time is the critical factor. The Centre has sent one lakh Tamilfu pills to the state of Maharashtra. The tally is: 784 positive cases in India, 45 cases in Mumbai.
Advice given in the media is: If you have symptoms of flu, do not panic. Avoid contact with people and call your doctor for a rapid flu test. If situation worsens, contact swine flu screening centers. Wear a mask of N-95 type, available in chemist shops.
Urgent need of more sample collection centers, screening centers and isolation wards in hospitals is felt in cities. India has a law which is 112-year old Epidemic Diseases Act (1897). The law does not provide for the new diseases like HIV and Swine flu and it needs to be replaced. To face the present crisis, may be, the government should rope-in private hospitals and clinics for support in terms of sample collection and testing.
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