We are in the middle of the swine flu epidemic. Latest figures suggest that more than 14,000 have been affected by the illness across the country, and more than 832 have already succumbed to it. The worst affected states are Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat, and new cases are being reported from other states as well. Punjab has the highest ratio of those who died due to the illness to those having it.
Experts in health care are bemoaning the fact that despite having had several outbreaks in the recent past, nothing much was done at the community level by the government to contain the spread of the disease. Low budget allocation to public health expenditure has also been blamed for the epidemic. Awareness about the illness and its prevention is paramount, but one does not get to see too many public service messages on mass media to address this.
Perhaps, in addition to lack of hygiene, the fact that swine flu is not known to lead to severe consequences in a majority of those affected has got something to do with this. There have also been misconceptions that like other vector borne diseases, swine flu is also spread by insects. Actually it spreads from close contact with animals such as domestic or farm bred animals, after which it spreads though droplets of mucous or saliva from person to person.
The symptoms and signs of the illness, and what is to be done if one contracts the illness remains the same as in the previous article on swine flu. With regards to the drugs used in treating swine flu, Tamiflu (chemical name oseltamivir) and Relenza (zanamivir) are recommended only to those in the population group that is vulnerable to severe life-threatening infection. These may include:
- Those with pre-existing respiratory problems such as pneumonia
- Those suffering from long-term illnesses such as diabetes or heart disease
- Pregnant women
- Those in the extremes of age groups: above 65 years or below 2 years of age
Preventive Measures to Check the Spread of the Disease
For the rest who do not belong to any of the above groups, it is better to follow preventive measures to check the spread of the virus. Protective masks, hand washing, quarantining patients with the illness, personal hygiene, and consuming well cooked food and clean water would be necessary in achieving this. Annual flu vaccine shots are a good idea, and people – especially the vulnerable – should be encouraged to have this regularly.
Indiscriminate use of antiviral antibiotics may result in resistance to treatment, which may further worsen the situation, as well as inflate the price of the drugs available for treatment. In a meeting of the National Crisis Management Committee, state health secretaries have been assured of the availability of testing kits, personal protective equipment, and medication to combat the epidemic.
Following the surge in the price of laboratory test used in the diagnosis of the infection, the government has set a cap of Rs 4500 on the test. While the central government has directed all state governments to run 24 x 7 helpline on swine flu, the same is not available on the website of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare as of 20 February 2015. There is now a link to the website of Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation, which provides a list of licensed pharmacies stocking the swine flu drugs across the country. However, one can access the lists of only eight states, and the data of licensed pharmacies has not been updated since 2009.
The holes in the system have to be plugged urgently and the government, NGOs and public should get their acts together to stop the epidemic from becoming larger than what it is today.
Related Information:
Zika Virus threat in India – What is Zika Virus, Government Planning & Prevention
Communicable Diseases Prevention measures
Japanese Encephalitis in India – Guidelines for Prevention, Control & Symptoms
Hepatitis B in India: Symptoms, Causes, Risks, Treatment and Facts
Ebola Virus Outbreak – Is India Prepared?
India To Be Certified As A Polio-free Nation By WHO
Non-Communicable Diseases – Take Care, Before It’s Late
Swine Flu: What You Need to Know and Do
Prevention of Heart Attack and Other Related Heart Diseases
Leprosy – Causes, preventions and eradication programme
Prevalence of Diabetes in India
Can Delhi Handle an Ebola Outbreak
The Fever : Vaccination Still An Elusive Proposal
A Reality Check on State of Mental Health in India
Sharp rise in non polio Acute Flaccid Paralysis after polio-free status
Growing Problem of Asthma in India
