There has been a sudden increase in the number of H1N1 cases in Karnataka in the last 27 days with at least 149 persons testing positive for the disease.
The total number of positive cases has shot up from 39 (reported from January till August 31) to 188 in September. However, no deaths have been recorded this year, while 15 died last year.
Concerned over the sudden spike, the State Health Director S. Puspharaj has issued a circular directing all doctors to take up preventive measures and check the spread of the disease on a war-footing.
Although the number of positive cases is far less than the 3,260 reported last year, the sudden spurt during rains has surprised many.
While doctors do not have any specific reason, they say the spike in cases could be due to mutation of the virus and the fluctuating climatic conditions.
“It is not an alarming situation, as there is no outbreak of the disease. There is no need for people to panic, as the disease is no longer new and can be treated,” said B.G. Prakash, State Deputy Director (National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme), who is also in charge of communicable diseases.
According to statistics from the State Health and Family Welfare Department, the highest number of positive cases — 55 — has been reported from BBMP limits. Last year, 931 positive cases and two deaths had been reported from BBMP limits.
Apart from BBMP limits, the number of positive cases have increased in Shivamogga, Dharwad, Dakshina Kannada and Mysuru districts.
“As H1N1 is airborne, the virus thrives in thickly populated regions where the floating population is high,” Dr. Prakash said.
T.S. Ranganath, Head of the Department of Preventive Social Medicine in Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute (BMCRI), blamed the fluctuating weather for the sudden spurt. “The city has been witnessing rains and high temperature at the same time. We are also seeing an increased number of respiratory tract infections. The number of cases is increasing as there is more awareness now, and more people are getting tested,” he said.
Shashidhar Buggi, former director of the State-run Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Diseases, said there is no need to panic, as we are not in 2009 when the first outbreak of the disease was reported in India. “Now, this air-borne infection has become common, and there is herd immunity. Only those with low immunity are catching the infection,” he said.
