With the total number of swine flu cases touching 27,737 worldwide, including 141 deaths, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared an influenza pandemic and raised its alert level to the highest 6.
This means there is a widespread human infection and countries will have to take stringent measures to control the outbreak by forcing social distancing and closing public places.
This may also result in countries restricting international travel, banning public events and adopting other tough measures, including forced quarantine.
The Union health ministry, however, said India has no reason to be alarmed. “This [phase 6 alert] does not apply to India since the total number of positive cases have only been 15 so far. India is still at level 4, which means the infection is under control. Hence there is no need to panic,” said Vineet Chawdhary, joint-secretary, ministry of health.
Four more persons — three in Delhi and one in Goa — have tested positive for flu while five suspected patients have been isolated. With this, the number of confirmed cases in India has gone up to 15. Among the latest persons to test positive, three are from the US while one from the UK.
An 18-year-old man, who returned to New Delhi from Boston last Sunday, had reported fever and a sore throat two days later. He was isolated at Delhi’s Dr RML Hospital, where he tested positive for the virus. Other patients in Delhi include a 25-year-old woman, who came from New York, and a 41-year-old woman who arrived from Haiti (transiting New York).
The fourth patient is a 41-year-old man who arrived in Goa from London, transiting Mumbai, on June 4. Two days later, he reported high fever.
The Union ministry of health claimed that all social contacts of the four are being traced and provided chemoprophylaxis (medication for swine flu). Details of passengers sitting close to them during travel are also being obtained from the airlines concerned.
Among the fresh suspected cases, three were reported in Delhi, one in Bangalore and one in Goa. One of the suspected patients in Delhi is a 47-year-old French national, who had visited Hyderabad. Before coming to India, the person had visited Japan, Singapore and Malaysia.
A total of 74 countries are now affected by swine flu. The highest number of deaths have been reported in Mexico, where 108 have died due to the virus. The last time WHO had declared a flu pandemic was 40 years ago.
(With inputs from agencies)
