New Delhi: The Union health ministry on Friday, asked Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Jain and all central government-run hospitals to set up designated swine flu wards and issue an advisory to chemists across the capital to ensure adequate stock of drugs to treat vector-borne diseases.

It’s been a crucial time for India as the deadly Swine flu has refused to die down despite many measures.According to Union Health Ministry statistics;nationally, 18,855 cases of the H1N1 influenza have been reported this year so far.

It has tightened its grip over India, with death toll reaching close to 1000. As per the latest figures issued by the Health Ministry, fresh cases have been reported from across the country including Delhi, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Jammu and Kashmir, West Bengal, Nagaland and Bihar.

The sudden increase in swine flu cases is being attributed to the unprecedented temperature fluctuation in cities leading up to problems like sore-throat, and dementia. 

In the capital, the total number of cases till August 13 this year stands at 1,307, more than six times the corresponding period of 2016.

Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Jain, Mayors of three municipal corporations and medical superintendents of central government hospitals in Delhi, along with senior officials from the Union health ministry and the Delhi health department, held a meeting where they laid emphasison the critical importance of prevention of vector-borne diseasessuch as dengue, malaria, chikungunya and swine flu in Delhi.

“A strong awareness campaign is very effective for educating people to keep their home and surrounding areas free of water clogging," Nadda said in a statement and urged Jain to launch a house-to-house information, education, and communication (IEC) campaign for creating widespread awareness.
 
The spike in the cases at this time of the year has come as a surprise because swine flu usually peaks in the post monsoon season and early winter i.e. October and November.

It is also due to infection coming in from states where a very high number of cases have been reported, such as from Gujarat where As many as 12 people died of swine flu in Gujarat on Friday taking the toll in the state to 242 people across the state this year, next only to Maharashtra where official statistics compiled by the Union Health Ministry indicate the largest number of confirmed swine flu cases (4,011), and deaths (409).
Tamil Nadu and Karnataka also had a large number of swine flu cases, aren’t far behind. But its public health machinery, in contrast to Gujarat, has been able to minimise the loss of life. 

As per the data revealed by the Health Ministry, “Gujarat reported 1,609 cases as compared to Tamil Nadu's 2,969 and Karnataka’s 2805 but theylost only 15 people to swine flu this year. In comparison, 190 people have lost their lives in Gujarat which continues to mount.”

In neighbouring Rajasthan, the viral infection has claimed 68 lives from January 1 to August 17. Of these, 64 patients were from Rajasthan and four from other States. A total of 2,558 samples were collected during this period and 590 of them tested positive. 

Rajasthan is followed by Punjab, where 15 persons have died till August 17. As many as 278 suspected cases were reported and of these, 75 tested positive; Health and Family Welfare Minister revealed.
As so many States are reeling under the impact of the virus; Health experts from Delhi said there was no cause for panic as the high-risk groups include people with heart diseases, diabetics and kidney patients, senior citizen’s, pregnant women and children below eight years of age.

But then also, certain precautions must be taken to keep yourself free from the H1N1 virus. Wash hands or use sanitizers before eating. Be cautious before using public facilities. Also, pregnant women should avoid public places since they are more prone to Swine Flu. If cold and cough prevails for a long time, make sure to visit the doctor and take adequate measures. After all, prevention is always better than cure!

References:
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