What is it?

SARS, swine flu, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Ebola, all of them are zoonotic in nature. That means, the virus starts from animals and gets transmitted to humans. There are factors like deforestation and captive animal breeding that creates a conveyer belt for viruses to move from its wild to human habitat.

The Pandemic H1N1/09 virus is a swine origin Influenza A virus subtype H1N1 virus strain responsible for the 2009 flu pandemic.

After the initial calamity, the pandemic subsided with occasional sporadic outbreaks. The Indian swine flu 2015 outbreak is part of this cycle.

· Second half of 20009-first quarter 2011- H1N1 strain predominant

· Second half of 2011- a H3N2 and B group viruses became predominant

· From the beginning of 2012, H1N1 has again become the dominant strain

In January alone, according to Union Health Ministry statistics, the total deaths in India came to 191.

Mode of spread

· Mainly through coughs and sneezes of people who are H1N1 positive.

Communicability

· 3-5 days from clinical onset in adults; Up to 7 days in young children

Incubation Period

· 1-2 days

Host Factors

Young children
Old age; Pregnant mothers,
Health workers,
Co-morbid conditions (Lung disease, heart disease, liver
disease, kidney disease, blood disorders,
Diabetes);
Immuno-compromised;
longterm steroid treatment.

Symptoms

Fever, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, fatigue, nausea, vomiting and even diarrhoea.

However, the clinical assessment of severe cases is very different from that of seasonal flu.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis made through laboratory test of respiratory specimen from patients. A respiratory specimen would need to be collected within the first 4 to 5 days of illness. Tests are conducted at special labs authorized by the Government.

Prevention and treatment

Vaccine

Swine flu vaccines in India are imported. As a result, each swine flu shot costs anywhere between Rs. 500 and Rs. 1,000.

The WHO and the Indian Academy of Paediatrics (IAP) have recommended trivalent influenza vaccine that should be administered to high-risk groups just before the monsoon.

Treatment

If diagnosed early, swine flu is easy to treat, so there is no need for panic. The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the WHO recommend the use of Tamiflu (oseltamivir) or Relenza (zanamivir) for treating swine flu. Besides antivirals, palliative care focused on controlling fevers and maintaining fluid balance goes a long way to ensure recovery. In fact, the majority of

Two antiviral agents have been reported to help prevent or reduce the effects of swine flu. They are zanamivir (Relenza) and oseltamivir (Tamiflu), both of which are also used to prevent or reduce influenza A and B symptoms

Severe infections in some patients may require additional supportive measures such as ventilation support and treatment of other infections like pneumonia that can occur in patients with a severe flu infection.

Tamil Nadu Swine flu call centre

Call 044-24350496, 044-24334811, 9444340496, 9361482899 and 104 for information related to swine flu and fever, diagnostic centers and treatment from government hospitals

Chennai.

Communicable Disease Hospital

87, T.H. Road, Tondiarpet, Chennai, Tamil Nadu

Ph- 91-44- 25912686/87/88

Chennai King Institute of Preventive Medicine

(24/7 Service) Guindy, Chennai – 32

Ph- 91-44- 22501520/22501521/22501522

Government General Hospital

Opp. Central Railway Station, Chennai – 03

Ph- 91-44- 25305000/25305723/25305721/25330300

Chennai Corporation of India Swine Flu Helpline

Rippon Building, Chennai – 03