With 152 H1N1 cases in January, govt issues public warning

BENGALURU: In less than a month of 2019, 152 confirmed cases of H1N1 have been reported in Karnataka, prompting the directorate of health and family welfare services to issue an advisory to the general public on prevention and control of the flu on Friday.
Stakeholders say the incidence of H1N1 in January may appear to have fallen when compared to the peak season of September, but year on year there is an increase, warranting an alarm.
“A spurt in the incidence of seasonal influenza (H1N1, H3N2 and influenza B) cases was noticed in September 2018 across India. High incidences were reported from Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Gujarat. An increasing trend was also observed in Karnataka from the first week of September,” read the advisory.
According to data published by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), 1,733 confirmed cases and 72 deaths were reported in Karnataka in 2018, fifth highest in the country after Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat. In fact, with 72 deaths, 2018 saw the second highest number of fatalities due to H1N1 in the state in the past seven years (second only to 94 deaths in 2015).
In the past month, the government-run Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Diseases (RGICD) has screened 112 patients for H1N1 and sent 46 samples for testing. “There has been a decreasing trend over the past month, with the number of cases we get every day dropping from 19-20 in the peak season (between September and December), to 4-5 cases now. This is due to rise in temperature level,” said Dr C Nagaraj, director, RGICD.
Dr Nagaraj said they haven’t received the results of H1N1 lab tests for 15 days now. “We send the samples to the National Institute of Virology (NIV), which shares our campus, and receive the results two days later. However, we have been waiting for the results for two weeks now,” he added.
A scientist with NIV said they are yet to receive kits for H1N1 tests. “We usually receive these either from the NIV or the state government, but there seems to be some delay. We have approached the authorities and will get the kits shortly,” he said.
“While compared to last January, there is an increase in cases this year, compared to December 2018, there has been a decrease. The reason for this increase (over January 2018 numbers) is the outbreak which took place last September and is still continuing. Like all viral diseases, the number of H1N1 cases increases every alternate year. So, we can expect fewer ones this year, though this will only become apparent in March when the temperature rises,” said Dr BG Prakash, deputy director, National Vector Borne Disease Control Program (NVBDC), health and family welfare department.
Top-five places
Positive cases
BBMP limits
25
Bangalore Urban
31
Dakshin Kannada
18
Mysuru
15
Shimoga
10
Source: Directorate of health and family welfare services (As of January 24, 2019)
* Dial 104 for any clarification or information
Dos
* Cover mouth and nose with a tissue/handkerchief when you cough or sneeze
* Wash hands often with soap and water
* Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth
* Avoid crowded places
* Stay more than arm’s length from from those suffering from flu
Don’ts
* Shake hands or hug
* Spit in public
* Take medicines without consulting a physician
* Travel to states with high incidence of H1N1
If you think you have H1N1
* Visit nearest government health care centre
* Do not travel or go to work/school
Avoid close contact with others for seven days after your symptoms begin or until you are symptom-free for 24 hours or whichever is longer
* Report to the nearest government health facility if your symptoms worsen (high fever, difficulty in breathing, blue skin/lips, blood in sputum