H1N1 in Kerala, Bangalore holds its breath

Yes, the dreaded H1N1 flu is back. Kerala recorded the highest number of H1N1 cases last week at 266 followed by Maharashtra at 36. With the monsoon fast approaching, Bangalore is worried that it might just become bad like last year.

“Since last week, there has been an increase in H1N1 positive cases in the city. We are also getting positive cases of people who have come from Kerala. This is the season when H1N1 cases and normal flu cases will be on the rise and it is difficult to differentiate between the two clinically. So it is advisable for people with persistent flu-like symptoms for more than 48 hours to consult the doctor,” said Dr Shashidhar Buggi, superintendent, Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Diseases.

Last month, 33 people were tested for H1N1 of which 4 turned out to be positive.

This month, till June 27, 71 patients have been screened for H1N1. “Seven cases have tested positive so far. Four of them have been admitted to the hospital,” Buggi said.

As many as 17 people have died of H1N1 so far, taking the toll in the country since the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the swine flu as a pandemic in mid-June last year to 1,584. Of the 17 deaths reported in this period, seven each occurred in Kerala and Maharashtra, 2 in Andhra Pradesh and 1 in Uttar Pradesh. According to officials, swine flu cases in Kerala are so far concentrated in two districts -- Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam.

But experts say this year there could be less cases considering the fact that people have acquired ‘herd immunity’ against the virus. This would mean that the flu’s impact will not be as widespread as last year and that it would manifest itself in a milder form in most cases. “Only those in the high risk group should be cautious,” said Buggi.

“Since it was a new infection last year, there were more people who contracted it then,” he added.