Mumbai: 4 cases of H1NI in a week as mercury dips

MUMBAI: As anticipated through medical doctors, a dip in temperatures introduced in cases of influenza (A) H1N1. The BMC’s epidemiology division mentioned that 4 confirmed cases of H1N1 were detected in one week. Across the state, nearly 200 cases and 13 deaths have been reported since January.

Physicians mentioned people, particularly pregnant girls and the ones with underlying well being prerequisites akin to blood pressure and hypertension, should exercise caution as the virus is understood to thrive in cold temperatures.

“We should keep prepared for a spurt,” mentioned state epidemiologist Dr Pradeep Awate.

“States in northern and central India that are reeling beneath a deadly disease of the virus are experiencing excessive winter,” he mentioned.

Rajasthan and Gujarat are a number of the worst hit, with 85 and 43 deaths. A civic authentic mentioned Mumbai’s cases are the primary lot of lab-confirmed one to be reported this 12 months.

“We have adequate stocks of the antiviral drug oseltamivir,” he mentioned.

Last 12 months, while the virus claimed nearly 400 lives throughout 15 districts of Maharashtra, Mumbai escaped a deadly disease, recording 25 cases and no deaths. Mumbai sees H1N1 spurts in trade years.

Infectious diseases skilled Dr Om Srivastava mentioned the ones with weak immune systems should keep vigilant as cool air and low humidity increases the transmission of the influenza virus.

A decade-old study through the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, US, had highlighted the similar: It found that during winter, the virus’s outer envelope hardened to suppose the form of a gel that safeguarded the virus because it travelled; the defend was once rendered weak in summer season.


Dr Awate mentioned a majority of deaths have been found within the 40-60 age-group this 12 months, a trend that was once true closing 12 months as neatly.


Of the 13 deaths within the state since January, round six had comorbid prerequisites. “We are vaccinating pregnant girls and the ones with underlying ailments. The govt has no longer incorporated senior voters within the high-risk organization for vaccination, although that you must that they too get influenza photographs,” he mentioned.


Several city medical doctors mentioned patients had started presenting with classical symptoms of H1N1 since January. Dr Hemant Thacker mentioned the numbers are under-reported in Mumbai as most patients can’t get tested owing to the exorbitant rates in private labs.


“We need higher surveillance to hit upon cases early and treat them,” he mentioned. But Awate mentioned testing must be just for patients who are hospitalised. “Others must be started on treatment if clinical symptoms level towards H1N1.”
Mumbai: 4 cases of H1NI in a week as mercury dips Mumbai: 4 cases of H1NI in a week as mercury dips Reviewed by Kailash on February 11, 2019 Rating: 5
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