Chandigarh: 2 succumb to H1N1 in 1 week

CHANDIGARH: H1N1 virus has started gripping the city as 18 cases and two deaths were reported in the past five weeks and this week, respectively. Last year, four H1N1 influenza cases were confirmed from Chandigarh.
“Last year, until February, only four cases and two deaths had been reported due to the influenza. However, this year, there has been over fourfold increase,” said a senior doctor in the UT health department.
Sources in the health department said the deaths were confirmed this week after an audit and the data has been recently submitted to the government. “Both the patients who died were women. While one was 85 years old, the other was 30. The latter had tuberculosis as well,” said an official in the UT health department.

The total number of patients admitted in PGI from Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh are 21. This hike is witnessed every winter, said epidemiologists. But as the strain of influenza virus varies from year to year, symptoms, severity and even type of vaccination changes annually.
Will this year see more cases?
Unlike dengue, the pattern is difficult to predict. “The limitation of treating this flu is that the strains keep on changing. Sometimes, we see the symptoms for a few days and these days, they go on for weeks,” said Dr Meeni P Singh, virologist, PGI.
Changes in the virus over the years
“It’s no longer a traveller’s disease. Earlier anyone who travelled to places where the flu is prevalent transmitted it. But since it's prevalent all across the country, things have changed,” said Dr Gagandeep Singh Grover, Punjab programme officer for vector-borne diseases.
Vaccination: Who needs it and when
For prevention, people in the northern states of India must be vaccinated in October. Vaccination is advised for the health workers, senior citizens, children below five years of age and also for immunocompromised patients.