According to the report from WHO (29 May 2009), 53 countries have officially reported 15,510 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection. There are 99 deaths reported worldwide. In view of the threat posed by the current outbreak of new influenza A (H1N1), the Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO) convened a High-Level Consultation for all Member States at the start of the Sixty-second World Health Assembly.
An Indian sailor (30-year old) in Egypt has been quarantined and put under observation over suspicion of swine flu infection. Egypt was free of swine flu cases till now, says the Health Ministry spokesperson.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Swine flu update – Current situation
According to the report from WHO (19 May 2009), 40 countries have officially reported 9830 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection, including 79 deaths.
In India, a 23 year old IT student from the University of Minnesota (US) is the first patient infected by the virus and he is recovering fast. He will be kept in isolation for the next 5 days. It is surprising that how the patient with the flu was allowed to travel to India from New York on May 13, 2009.
In India, a 23 year old IT student from the University of Minnesota (US) is the first patient infected by the virus and he is recovering fast. He will be kept in isolation for the next 5 days. It is surprising that how the patient with the flu was allowed to travel to India from New York on May 13, 2009.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Swine flu update – Current situation
According to the report from WHO (15 May 2009), 34 countries have officially reported 7520 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection. There are 65 deaths reported worldwide. If the infection spreads in a sustained manner in countries outside North America, the organization would raise the Alert Level to 6 for a full-blown pandemic.
It is reported that India will exercise a “go hard, go early” policy on the use of anti-virals in case it detects a person infected with the deadly H1N1 influenza virus.
It is reported that India will exercise a “go hard, go early” policy on the use of anti-virals in case it detects a person infected with the deadly H1N1 influenza virus.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Swine flu update – Current situation
According to the report from WHO (12 May 2009), 30 countries have officially reported 5251 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection. There are 61 deaths worldwide. Thailand confirmed its first cases of swine flu, now recovered from the illness.
Assessing the severity of an influenza pandemic: The major determinant of the severity of an influenza pandemic is the inherent virulence of the virus. But many other factors also influence the overall severity of a pandemic’s impact.
India has decided to start mass production of a vaccine against the flu as soon as it receives a strain of the virus on which the vaccine will be based. The country continues to be vigilant at the airports.
Assessing the severity of an influenza pandemic: The major determinant of the severity of an influenza pandemic is the inherent virulence of the virus. But many other factors also influence the overall severity of a pandemic’s impact.
India has decided to start mass production of a vaccine against the flu as soon as it receives a strain of the virus on which the vaccine will be based. The country continues to be vigilant at the airports.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Swine flu update – Current situation
According to the report from WHO (10 May 2009), 29 countries have officially reported 4379 cases of influenza A (H1N1) infection; US – 2,254 cases and Mexico 1,626 cases. The swine flu claimed 3rd victim in USA. Easy spreading of the flu from humans to humans may prompt WHO to declare a full blown phase 6 pandemic.
The numbers are fast increasing. Members of the public should be alert and take all the precautions to prevent further spread of the disease.
The numbers are fast increasing. Members of the public should be alert and take all the precautions to prevent further spread of the disease.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Swine flu update – Increased risk to HIV- infested
According to the report from WHO, there are 1893 officially reported cases of influenza A (H1N1) infection in 23 countries. The swine flu claimed second life in USA.
Indian health ministry advisory banned sale of Tamiflu by Drug Stores fearing that indiscriminate use of the drug could result in the virus developing resistance to the only known treatment for H1N1 influenza. The government is maintaining adequate stock of the drug and would distribute the drug free-of-cost through public health network in case of any confirmed case of the disease. Meanwhile, according to the WHO advisory, HIV infected patients are at an increased risk from the deadly H1N1 flu virus.
This, in effect, is a serious warning to India, which is home for an estimated 2.5 million HIV-infested people.
Indian health ministry advisory banned sale of Tamiflu by Drug Stores fearing that indiscriminate use of the drug could result in the virus developing resistance to the only known treatment for H1N1 influenza. The government is maintaining adequate stock of the drug and would distribute the drug free-of-cost through public health network in case of any confirmed case of the disease. Meanwhile, according to the WHO advisory, HIV infected patients are at an increased risk from the deadly H1N1 flu virus.
This, in effect, is a serious warning to India, which is home for an estimated 2.5 million HIV-infested people.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Swine flu update – International cooperation
International cooperation was very much evident in tackling the spread of swine flu. A timely tip-off from China helped India track down a suspected H1N1 flu case which later tested negative. According to the report from WHO, there are 1516 officially reported cases of influenza A (H1N1) infection in 22 countries. WHO is coordinating the global response to human cases and monitoring the corresponding threat of an influenza pandemic.
India has no confirmed cases of swine flu. All Indian ports and airports are on alert. All air passengers are screened. Road entry points to the country are under surveillance. Necessary medicines are available. The government has four labs that can test for the virus. Private hospitals have been asked not to turn away suspected cases but to isolate the patients and inform government officials.
Government of India advises all its citizens to defer non-essential travel to the affected countries. People with the symptoms are advised to contact: Outbreak Monitoring Cell, National Institute of Communicable Diseases or call 011 23921401.
India has no confirmed cases of swine flu. All Indian ports and airports are on alert. All air passengers are screened. Road entry points to the country are under surveillance. Necessary medicines are available. The government has four labs that can test for the virus. Private hospitals have been asked not to turn away suspected cases but to isolate the patients and inform government officials.
Government of India advises all its citizens to defer non-essential travel to the affected countries. People with the symptoms are advised to contact: Outbreak Monitoring Cell, National Institute of Communicable Diseases or call 011 23921401.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Swine flu update – Signs of swine flu ending
According to the report from WHO, there are 1085 confirmed cases of swine flu in 21 countries. In the absence of any effective vaccine for H1N1 virus, it advices precautionary measures to be taken so that the spread of the virus is controlled
India has no confirmed cases of swine flu. All Indian ports and airports are on alert. All air passengers are screened. Road entry points to the country are under surveillance. The government has four labs that can test for the virus. Private hospitals have been asked not to turn away suspected cases but to isolate the patients and inform government officials.
The mass communication media such as TV and radio should highlight the types of masks available and the efficiency of each of them to trap or stop the virus. The efficiency may vary depending on the filter type and the face-fit.
India has no confirmed cases of swine flu. All Indian ports and airports are on alert. All air passengers are screened. Road entry points to the country are under surveillance. The government has four labs that can test for the virus. Private hospitals have been asked not to turn away suspected cases but to isolate the patients and inform government officials.
The mass communication media such as TV and radio should highlight the types of masks available and the efficiency of each of them to trap or stop the virus. The efficiency may vary depending on the filter type and the face-fit.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Swine flu update - Use fit-tested and efficient respirators for H1N1 virus
Swine flu spreads. As per the reports appeared in the media (WHO), there are 900 confirmed cases of Swine flu worldwide in 19 countries. The WHO may raise H1N1 outbreak alert to the highest level 6. Canada reported the world’s first case of the flu virus jumping to pigs to a human, a farm worker who visited Mexico.
Mexico has 506 cases plus 101 deaths, while USA has 226 cases plus 1 death. There are also news items which says hundreds of visitors quarantined at a hotel in Hong Kong after guests contract H1N1 virus. India has no confirmed cases of swine flu.
Meanwhile, news papers and TV show people wearing all types of respirators, face masks as precautionary measures. There are different types of respirators meant for different pollutants. For example particulate filters, such as High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters may not trap gaseous pollutants. The respirators should be fit-tested and disposable type and not to be reused/recycled.
The media should highlight the types of filters and the efficiency of each type of respirators to trap the virus. The efficiency may vary depending on the filter type and the fit.
Mexico has 506 cases plus 101 deaths, while USA has 226 cases plus 1 death. There are also news items which says hundreds of visitors quarantined at a hotel in Hong Kong after guests contract H1N1 virus. India has no confirmed cases of swine flu.
Meanwhile, news papers and TV show people wearing all types of respirators, face masks as precautionary measures. There are different types of respirators meant for different pollutants. For example particulate filters, such as High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters may not trap gaseous pollutants. The respirators should be fit-tested and disposable type and not to be reused/recycled.
The media should highlight the types of filters and the efficiency of each type of respirators to trap the virus. The efficiency may vary depending on the filter type and the fit.
Swine flu update
As per the reports appeared in the media (WHO), there is 67% rise in the confirmed cases of swine flu (H1N1 flu) since last Friday. Lab-confirmed positive cases rose to 615 in 15 countries, Maxico with 397 cases followed by USA with 141 cases. India is supposed to be still flu-free country.
Airline passengers and the airline staff members are asked to keep strict vigilance on the passengers with suspected flu symptoms.
Mumbai city is prepared to handle swine flu cases, says the Director General of Maharashtra Health services. The current status of preparedness reported in terms of stocks is: Drug (10,000 capsules of Oseltamivir); 1,000 personal protective equipments, and 5,000 triple layer masks. The Haffkine institute, Mumbai is asked to stay prepared for any confirmatory tests.
One wonders whether such meagre preparedness is adequate to handle swine flu cases if it enters a crowded city like Mumbai? It is reported that the communicability of the flu is from day one to day seven after the onset of symptoms. Mass media such as television and radio should be utilised by the Health Ministry at State and Central level to broadcast the precautionary measures to prevent the spread of swine flu cases in the cities.
Airline passengers and the airline staff members are asked to keep strict vigilance on the passengers with suspected flu symptoms.
Mumbai city is prepared to handle swine flu cases, says the Director General of Maharashtra Health services. The current status of preparedness reported in terms of stocks is: Drug (10,000 capsules of Oseltamivir); 1,000 personal protective equipments, and 5,000 triple layer masks. The Haffkine institute, Mumbai is asked to stay prepared for any confirmatory tests.
One wonders whether such meagre preparedness is adequate to handle swine flu cases if it enters a crowded city like Mumbai? It is reported that the communicability of the flu is from day one to day seven after the onset of symptoms. Mass media such as television and radio should be utilised by the Health Ministry at State and Central level to broadcast the precautionary measures to prevent the spread of swine flu cases in the cities.
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