H1N1 INDIA

H1N1 back

2011-07-09T21:13:00.001-07:00

H1N1 is back, claims 7 lives

July 10, 2011
DC
Bengaluru

July 9: With the monsoons, the dreaded H1N1 fever is back. Though precautionary measures have been taken, the virus has already caused seven deaths this year in the State, five of them just in the last couple of months. It is during this time of year that we need to take precautions. But we now have experience in controlling this virus. We have already sent out monsoon advisories to all districts to ensure that every case with H1N1 like symptoms gets treated at the earliest,” said Dr T.S. Cheluvaraj, joint director, communicable diseases, department of health and family welfare.

“There was one death reported in the month of May in Bengaluru, the remaining were from Bellary, Davangere, Shimoga, Gulbarga, Udupi and Tumkur,” said Dr Cheluvaraj. He said that this year, to date, the department has received 1007 samples for testing from across the State of which 45 samples have tested positive for H1N1.

Dr Cheluvaraj emphasised that the health department is better prepared now to deal with the virus. “This year we are very well equipped and have more than sufficient stock of Tamiflu, which has been distributed to health centres even at the district level.” Instructions have been issued to healthcare professionals to be on the lookout for cases with symptoms of respiratory tract infections, cough, cold and running nose. “As of now there are five centres in the State that are equipped to test samples for H1N1: NIMHANS, Narayana Nethralaya, Command Hospital and Manipal Hospital in Bengaluru, and KMC Manipal, which takes care of samples in the coastal districts,” the doctor added.

“So far the number of cases coming to us for tests has been consistent and so too the positivity, but the monsoon is the season when there is a risk of incidence in such cases,” said Dr V. Ravi, head of the neuro-virology department at NIMHANS. At the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Diseases (RGICD) only one case of H1N1 has been reported, that of a 62-year-old male. “He has been treated and discharged from the hospital. But we know that the monsoons could be risky so we are geared up with adequate stock of medication,” said Dr Shashidhar Buggi, director, RGICD.

H1N1, popularly known at ‘swine flu’, had reached pandemic proportions in 2009. Some 1,500 people died of it in India. The virus spreads between humans through coughing or sneezing and people touching something with the virus on it and then touching their own nose or mouth.

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Travel ADVISORY

2010-09-12T21:28:00.000-07:00

update by WHO

2010-09-10T22:02:00.000-07:00

printable version

Influenza update - 10 September 2010

Introduction

The Global Influenza Programme is regularly monitoring influenza activity worldwide and publishing an update every two weeks.

The updates are based on all available epidemiological and virological data: influenza reports from WHO Regional Offices and Member States, data collected through FluNet and FluID. Data can vary in completeness and timeliness due to differences in available resources in Member States as well as influenza seasonality.

Description: Displayed data reflect the most recent information reported to FluNet, WHO regional offices or on ministry of health websites in the last 2 weeks.

The percent of specimens tested positive for influenza includes all specimens tested positive for all influenza subtypes. The pie charts show the distribution of virus subtypes among all specimens that were tested positive for influenza.

The available country data were joined in larger geographical areas (Influenza transmission zones)with similar influenza transmission patterns in order to present an overview

Map timeline for influenza activity

Open map in new window [jpg 965kb]

Influenza - Update 116

10 September 2010 - Influenza activity is currently most intense in the temperate areas of the Southern Hemisphere and southern Asia.

India is still experiencing a country-wide outbreak of H1N1 (2009) with active transmission and a substantial number of fatal cases in several states across the country.

Chile reported on a sharp increase in respiratory disease activity in the last two weeks. All age groups are affected but the age groups below 65 years appear to be more affected that the older population. The level of activity in Chile in September is very unusual for this time of the year, as the country usually experiences a peak of respiratory disease in June and July. H1N1 (2009) virus has been the most commonly detected influenza virus so far this season but in the recent weeks there has been a shift towards influenza virus type B and influenza A (H3N2), with a decreasing proportion of H1N1 (2009) viruses. Respiratory Syncitial Virus transmission has also been widespread and intense, primarily affecting young children.

Australia has reported increasing influenza activity throughout August and September, though recently, the numbers of patients seen in emergency departments for influenza-like illness seem to have levelled off in parts of the country. Overall, influenza activity is well below the activity observed in the winter of 2009. The most commonly identified influenza virus in Australia is H1N1 (2009), though influenza type B is also being detected.

In New Zealand, influenza activity has decreased in the last week of August, although activity is still well above baseline levels and with significant regional differences. The majority of influenza detections have been characterized as H1N1 (2009). Levels of influenza transmission in 2010 are below 2009 levels nationally but have exceeded 2009 in some localized areas of the country.

In Africa, the Central African Republic reported on their first ever detection of H1N1 (2009). South Africa observed a decrease in detection rate of influenza viruses in outpatients seen for respiratory disease for the second week in a row. Influenza type B has been the most commonly detected influenza virus throughout this winter season in South Africa though in recent weeks the proportion of H1N1 (2009) viruses has increased and a small, decreasing number of influenza A (H3N2) continues to be detected.

links to earlier updates

Qualitative indicators

The qualitative indicators monitor: the global geographic spread of influenza, trends in acute respiratory diseases, the intensity of respiratory disease activity, and the impact of the pandemic on health-care services.

The maps below display information on the qualitative indicators reported. Information is available for approximately 60 countries each week. Implementation of this monitoring system is ongoing and completeness of reporting is expected to increase over time.

List of definitions of qualitative indicators

Maps of qualitative indicators

post-pandemic guidelines

Source

18000 people killed till now

2010-05-21T17:32:00.000-07:00

As of 16 May, worldwide more than 214 countries and overseas territories or communities have reported laboratory confirmed cases of pandemic influenza H1N1 2009, including over 18097 deaths, WHO said Friday.

The current situation is largely unchanged since the last update. The most active areas of pandemic influenza virus transmission currently are in parts of the Caribbean and Southeast Asia. In the temperate zone of the northern and southern hemisphere, overall pandemic influenza activity remains low to sporadic. In central Africa, there has been increased transmission of seasonal influenza type B viruses, accounting for 85% of all influenza isolates in the region. Influenza B also continues to be detected at low levels across parts of Asia and Europe, and has now been reported in Central America.

In the tropical region of the Americas, the most active areas of pandemic influenza virus transmission continue to be in parts of the Caribbean. In Cuba, a second period of active community transmission of pandemic influenza virus began during late February 2010, peaked during late April 2010, and has been declining since; this second period of transmission, although associated with severe and fatal cases, appears to be less intense overall than the first period of transmission which occurred during late September to late November 2009. In contrast, in the Dominican Republic, low to moderate intensity of respiratory diseases activity has been primarily associated with co-circulation of respiratory viruses other than influenza; only sporadic detections of seasonal influenza viruses have been reported.

Low levels of pandemic influenza viruses have been circulating across parts of Central America and tropical areas of South America, for example, in Mexico since December 2009, in Colombia and Brazil since early 2010, and in Guatemala since early April 2010. Nicaragua and Honduras have also been recently reporting geographically regional spread of influenza viruses, however, the relative proportions of seasonal influenza, pandemic influenza, and other respiratory virus detections are not known. In contrast, in Panama, low levels of respiratory disease over the past three months have been primarily associated with circulating respiratory viruses other than influenza. Of note, Bolivia experienced a recent period of low but sustained transmission of seasonal influenza type B viruses between late February and early May 2010. There continues to be evidence from several countries in this region that there is ongoing co-circulation of influenza with other respiratory viruses (including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and adenovirus).

In Asia, the most active areas of pandemic influenza virus transmission are in parts of South and Southeast Asia, particularly in Bangladesh, Malaysia, and Singapore. In Malaysia, limited data suggests that a second period of active pandemic influenza virus transmission has been occurring since early April 2010, but overall activity may have recently stabilized and does not appear to exceed pandemic influenza activity seen during an earlier period of transmission lasting from July until early September 2009. In Singapore, levels of ARI have remained elevated since mid April 2010; during the most recent reporting week, levels of ARI exceeded the epidemic threshold and the proportion of patients with ILI testing positive for pandemic influenza virus infection was 39%. In Bangladesh increased co-circulation of pandemic influenza and seasonal influenza type B viruses has been detected since mid April 2010 but now appears to have stabilized. Low level circulation of pandemic influenza continues to persist in Thailand and in the western and southern parts of India; sporadic detection of pandemic influenza continue to be reported in Cambodia and in the Philippines. In East Asia, only sporadic detections of pandemic influenza virus are being reported; seasonal influenza type B viruses have been predominant in this region, however circulation appears to be declining in China and the Republic of Korea.

In the temperate regions of the northern and southern hemisphere, overall pandemic influenza activity remains low to sporadic. In Australia and New Zealand, slight increases in ILI activity were reported; however, in Australia, these increases have been attributed primarily to circulating respiratory viruses other than influenza. In the southern temperate regions of the Americas, only sporadic detections of influenza viruses have been reported, except in Chile, which continues to report localized areas of increased ILI activity (in the Los Lagos area) associated with co-circulation of pandemic influenza and other respiratory viruses. In Europe, very low to sporadic levels of pandemic and seasonal influenza type B viruses continue to be detected. Seasonal influenza type B virus persists mainly in parts of eastern and northern Europe. Georgia reported an increase in the number of respiratory disease consultations due to influenza-like-illness (ILI), mainly in children (under age 5) and school-age children (5-14 years old age group); whether this increase is associated with pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus is not yet known.

source

H1N1 cases in the country had dropped

2010-05-15T18:58:00.000-07:00

NEW DELHI: The H1N1 swine flu pandemic has killed over 1,500 Indians till now but the number of people who got infected with this novel virus is much higher — over 30,000.

However, the good news is that the outbreak seems to be weakening. Health minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said H1N1 cases in the country had dropped in the past few weeks. "Till May 2, there have been 1,501 laboratory confirmed deaths due to the pandemic, while 30,581 people have been affected with the virus in the country," he said.

India reported its first swine flu death on August 4, 2009, while the first case was recorded on May 16, 2009.

But should India be complacent? "No," said director general of Indian Council of Medical Research Dr V M Katoch. Dr Katoch said, "We will have to wait and watch very carefully this year. Till now, all the three previous pandemics this century have taught us that pandemic waves keep coming over two years of an outbreak. We could also end up seeing the pandemic peak this winter."

He added, "By next year, we expect the virus to become endemic in the country infecting people like seasonal influenza does. However the spread of the virus won't be as fast." India has till now screened over one crore passengers at 22 international airports for symptoms of influenza. Experts globally have hailed India for this massive exercise. Some say India managed to avert a major outbreak specially because of these airport checks.

India, in the meantime, also strengthened its laboratory network to test for influenza. When the outbreak first took place in India, the country had just two major labs capable of testing for H1N1 infection. At present, there are 45 labs — 24 in the government sector and 19 in the private sector — testing clinical samples.

India has also procured 40 million capsules of Oseltamivir or Tamilfu — an anti-viral drug, of which 21 million were given to states. The retail sale of the drug was later allowed in some selected outlets.

source

2010-01-06T02:08:00.000-08:00

Attention! All practising Doc~ors, Nursing Homes, Dispensaries, Primary Health Centers, Government and Private Hospitals. You can help reduce the impact of the ongoing pandemic by keeping the following in mind.

YOUR CHECK LIST

· Look for 'Signs and symptoms like fever with cough, sore throat with difficulty in breathing

· In particular, look for early warning signs - In Adults: breathlessness, chest pain, drowsiness, fall in blood pressure, sputum mixed with blood, bluish discolouration of nails

- In Children: influenza like illness with somnolence, .high and p~rsistent fever, inability to feed well, convulsions, shortness of breath, difficulty in breathing, etc

· Follow GOI guidelines on categorization (category A, B and C) if you are trained to manage H1N1 cases

· Follow up cases recommended for home care

· Know your nearest Health Screening Centres and Hospitals for referral

· If your area is not reporting Influenza like illness (Ill) and if you detect a cluster of III or pneumonia, to inform the Integrated Disease Surveillance Project

, . For detailed information on categorization of cases (triage and .c1inical management protocols) refer to http://www.mohfw-h1n1.tlic.in

please call 1 075 (toll-free) or

1800-11-4377

~~
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I__~___-------------------~------------------------------
-..... - ~ - ..... - ..... -;- ./'"

Issued in public interest by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India

azmessages

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DARLING_SAPNA, Happy Anniversary! They say that Be, with age comes maturity; but our love with age gains perpetuity and becomes closer to divinity! Yours eternally,Om ,;

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leSE Board Exam Marksheet (No. TV 4934523) and Certificate issued in Name of Aparna Astha Dlo Arun Kumar Pandey. index No. TI1283/023 was lost on 30.06.09 at Sector 19.
Vashi FIR P.S.APMC Vashi

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DeL rights wrong bill

PUNE in PANIC mode

2009-11-29T18:41:00.000-08:00

Pune has been made the Swine Flu Capital of India!

Category » Editorial Posted On Sunday, November 29, 2009

About 110 persons are reported to have died of Swine Flu in Pune till now. Living in Pune, I have also personally experienced the respiratory disease that is called swine flu. I can now confidently claim that I know the most important cause of this respiratory disease, which many medical scientists wrongly believe is due to some virus.
As mentioned by medical scientists, the symptoms of swine flu can include a cold (watery nose), sore throat, coughing and gasping, headache, aches and pains in other parts of the body, fatigue, fever, shivering (chills), and in some cases diarrhoea and vomiting. Many patients who get pneumonia can even die of the disease.
For many years, I have known the respiratory disease that produces many of the above-mentioned symptoms, but only now I have realized that it is the same disease which is being called swine flu by medical scientists. I can identify the real cause of this respiratory disease, which should not be called Swine Flu.
Can anyone believe that some common products which have really caused the Influenza of 2009 are freely available to the consumers of Pune? I suspect that there is a conspiracy to spread the disease through a Chemical and Biological Warfare among the people of Pune and the rest of India. I can identify some of the toxic chemicals that are found in the foods and drinks of the people of Pune. I have even discovered the exact ways by which these toxic chemicals get into the foods and drinks of millions of people in India and other countries.
We must expose the criminals who have introduced the toxic chemicals in the consumer goods used by the common people. We should also expose their links with the Big Pharmaceutical Companies, which are hell-bent on selling their toxic drugs and vaccines for treating the millions of people who are deliberately being made sick through the consumption of foods and drinks that contain extremely harmful chemicals.
Drugs, Vaccines & Administration of Oxygen Don't Help
The Influenza of 2009 is wrongly called Swine Flu, even though it is not spread by any pigs. The H1N1 virus should not be considered as being responsible for causing the so-called Swine Flu, Spanish Flu of 1918-19, or Influenza A. Any vaccination against the disease is useless and can even be very harmful. The vaccines cannot provide us any immunity to diseases that are caused by chemical poisons.
The face-masks also cannot provide much protection against the Influenza of 2009, as it is not due to any virus. The doctors of many hospitals in Pune have not been able to help in preventing more than a 100 deaths in the last few months. Even the patients put on oxygen in ICUs have not benefited from the treatment given by highly qualified doctors. The doctors cannot save the patients because they are ignorant of the real cause of the disease. In Pune, even some doctors have died due to contracting the Influenza of 2009. Thousands of people are likely to die of this Flu, and other related diseases, in the next few months in Pune.
Till a few months back, I was not ready to believe that the disease described as the Swine Flu could be so dangerous that it could kill millions of people in the world. Now I have realized that I was wrong. Many thousand people have already died in 2009 apparently due to the spread of the so-called Swine Flu all over the world. The Respiratory Pandemic of 2009 can really kill millions of people over a period of time, just as it happened during the worldwide Respiratory Pandemic of 1918-19, which was named as the Spanish Flu.
As the medical scientists of the world do not know its real cause, the affliction should be called as the Respiratory Pandemic of 2009 till its identification is properly confirmed. I believe that mass chemical poisoning can make millions of people suffer from respiratory diseases, which are given names like Spanish Flu, Swine Flu, Influenza A, Bird Flu, Chicken Flu and SARS by the medical scientists.
There are many medical scientists who have been regularly warning us about the existence of a conspiracy with a secret plan of committing genocide on a massive scale through a Chemical and Biological Warfare, which is being waged in many parts of the world.
I have decided to wait for a couple of weeks to release my article in which I shall give details about the real cause of the Respiratory Pandemic of 2009. The article will be sent to the persons who are interested in reading such articles.
My findings can also be used for scientifically understanding the real causes of the Respiratory Pandemics of 1918-19 (Spanish Flu), 1957-58 (Asian Flu), 1968-69 (Hong Kong Flu), etc.
Ashok T Jaisinghani

Source

33% Indians likely to get H1N1

2009-10-28T23:18:00.000-07:00

: AzadKounteya Sinha, TNN 10 August 2009, 03:50am IST

NEW DELHI: Admitting that the no government measure could prevent the spread of the H1N1 influenza in India, Union health minister Ghulam Nabi Azad

said on Sunday that around one-third of the Indian population was likely to get infected with the virus over the next two years, in accordance with WHO predictions. But most people would suffer only mild symptoms of the disease, he added. ``It's a global pandemic. If countries across the world - around 168 till now - are suffering from a H1N1 outbreak, so will India. We are, however, lucky that it didn't start from here,'' Azad told TOI in an interview. However, Azad had one clear message - there is no need to panic as India is still much better off than most countries across the globe who have been hit harder by the pandemic. Azad said India, which till Sunday recorded 864 positive cases of H1N1 with four deaths, was still in the early days of the outbreak.

``We will see many more positive cases of H1N1 infection and maybe more deaths, exactly similar to what is happening across the globe. The virus is highly contagious. People should self report and not wait for government to track them down,'' he added. According to him, it hasn't even reached the pandemic stage in India. Azad, praising India's phenomenal job in keeping the virus quiet for so long, said industrialized countries such as UK, US, Canada, Australia and Argentina were reporting positive cases in lakhs every week. `

`In England, there were 30,000 cases of H1N1 last week and 1.10 lakh cases the week before. Around 36 people have died there so far. In Argentina, they have registered a total of 7.62 lakh cases of flu of which 93% are H1N1 infections. They have had 337 deaths,'' the minister said. "The US, which has stopped recording positive cases, has at present 6,506 people hospitalized with H1N1 infection and 436 deaths. In Australia, there are around 30,000 confirmed H1N1 cases with 85 deaths. So you can understand the intensity of the virus spread. In comparison, till yesterday India had 782 positive H1N1 cases of which 511 have been treated and discharged and 271 are under treatment. We have recorded four deaths till now,'' he added. According to the health minister, two of India's innovative interventions - entry screening at airports and ports and mass scale contact tracing - have proved a saver. ``Or else, by now we would have had crores of H1N1 infected people,'' Azad said. He said India's interventions had been applauded globally. ``We have till now screened over 45 lakh passengers in 22 international airports. Every third H1N1 positive case in India was identified through airport screening. And then we tracked down every single person the infected patient may have come in contact with, looking for H1N1 symptoms in them. Till now, over 8,000 contacts of infected patients have been traced and given prophylactic treatment besides those who were found to be H1N1 positive,'' he said. On what discussions took place when he met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh after the latest deaths, Azad said, ``It was a simple review meeting.

The PM wanted to know what the ministry was doing. He made no suggestions.'' On what India was doing as part of its control and containment operations, he said, ``We are starting an exclusive H1N1 influenza website on Monday which will tell people about do's and don'ts, where to go for clinical assessment and testing, statewise situation of the pandemic, phone numbers and names of labs and hospitals one should approach and total number of cases and deaths being reported due to H1N1. However it will not have a flu tracker as of now which will tell you whether you should report to authorities on typing down your symptoms,'' Azad said.

Meanwhile, Azad wasn't happy about schools across India shutting down because their students tested positive. In Delhi, the privately run Sanskriti School closed down for a week after three students tested positive for swine flu, including one who recently visited Britain. ``Till now, it is clear that the virus is city centric. Not a single case has come up from the villages. Shutting a school wouldn't mean you can stop students from attending parties and meeting friends in the evening where they can get the infection. Schools must stay open,'' Azad told TOI. WHO had earlier said that by the end of the pandemic, anywhere between 15-45% of a population will have been infected by the new pandemic virus. If one takes the mid-point figure, 30%, it'll mean 2 billion people getting the infection, WHO said. India on Sunday recorded 82 new cases of H1N1 - Delhi 13, Pune 34, Mumbai 12, Chennai 7, Goa 4, Vadodara 3, Calicut 2, Hyderabad 2, Gurgaon 2, Trivandrum 1, Sirsa (Haryana) 1 and Trissur 1. In Delhi out of the 13 cases, 12 are contact cases. All the 34 cases in Pune are indigenous cases, mostly school and social contacts with no travel history. In Mumbai, out of 12 cases, 11 cases are indigenous ones.

Chennai too reported seven cases, all indigenous. According to the ministry, there are six cases who are still admitted in Sassoon Hospital, Pune, out of which the condition of three are critical. QnA: How would one know whether they have swine flu? Is the Indian healthcare system equipped sufficiently to tackle swine flu?

SOURCE

H1N1 most recent UPDATES u will find here

2009-09-12T17:50:00.000-07:00

go here

3, 205 deaths

2009-09-11T18:44:00.000-07:00

Swine flu death toll reach 3,205: WHO

(AFP) – 10 hours ago

GENEVA — The World Health Organisation said Friday that at least 3,205 people have died from swine flu since the new A(H1N1) virus was uncovered in April.

Most of the deaths occured in the Americas region, where 2,467 fatalities have been reported to the UN health agency.

The Asia-Pacific region recorded 527 deaths, followed by Europe where at least 125 people have succumbed to the infection.

The death toll in the Middle East reached 51 while the number of deaths in Africa climbed to 35, said the WHO in an update posted on its website.

The figure represents a jump of more than a 1,000 on a fortnight ago when the WHO said the overall toll stood at 2,185.

The WHO reiterated that the new flu virus is now the most prevalent form of influenza, having swiftly overtaken other flu viruses.

According to the WHO's flu database, 76 percent of flu detections reported during August 23 to 29 have been found to be of the pandemic strain.

The UN health agency also noted that flu activity appeared to be increasing in some parts of the northern hemisphere, which is about to enter the flu-prone winter season.

Parts of eastern Europe and south-east United States are reporting increases in infections.

In tropical South America and Asia, the caseload is also increasing. Countries such as Bolivia, Ecuador, Venezuela, India, Bangladesh and Cambodia are all reporting more flu cases, said the WHO.

Meanwhile, in Central America, the Caribbeans and the temperate regions of the southern hemisphere, the number of flu infections appear to be declining, it added.

Flu policy decided by school districts, Alberta says
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More coverage (5278) »

SOURCE

FLU in Singapore

2009-09-08T01:07:00.000-07:00

Update on Influenza A (H1N1-2009)

18th Influenza A (H1N1-2009) related death case
Last updated on 07 Sept 09

A 61 year-old Chinese male with a medical history of hypertension, diabetes, and end-stage renal failure passed away on 6 Sep 09. The cause of death was Influenza A (H1N1-2009) infection with chronic renal failure and diabetes, and hypertension.

Cases in Hospital
Last updated on 07 Sept 09

Public Hospital

Hospitalised (in ICU*)

SOURCE

2009-09-01T19:36:00.000-07:00

Forget H1N1 here's H5N1!

TNN 1 September 2009, 06:26pm IST

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Forget H1N1, there’s H5N1 for you to worry about now! In all the panic about swine flu, doctors across the globe are warning of confusing the

H5N1 (Getty Images)

symptoms of H1N1 for meningitis – a far more deadly and dangerous disease, and also one without a vaccine.

The symptoms for swine flu and meningitis are largely the same – ranging from fevers, body aches, fevers and cold hands and feet. As the vacation period across the world comes to an end and people return from holidaying in far flung places, holiday makers are thought to be potentially contagious and capable of spreading the disease, making doctors brace for a second global outbreak.

This year in April, 2009, a severe meningitis outbreak hit Tripura and Meghalaya, with the government undertaking a drive to vaccinate the entire population with the World Health Organisation chipping in with 3.5 lakh vaccines. The fatal bacterial infection had sprung up in Tripura since January 2009 which recorded 126 confirmed meningitis cases and 33 deaths by April. The last major meningitis outbreak to strike India was in 2005, with over 80 people dying in the capital alone.

Meningitis is usually caused by either bacteria or a virus. Viral meningitis is more common than bacterial but is rarely life-threatening. Meningitis caused by bacteria tends to be more serious. Broadly, there are two types of bacterial disease: meningococcal and pneumococcal. Vaccines exist for both. Most cases of meningococcal meningitis can be treated with antibiotics, but it is important to catch the disease early.

Meningitis can kill in under four hours and parents should be watchful for the disease, Steve Dayman, chief executive of the charity Meningitis UK, told a UK-based newspaper. The disease, which affects children and teenagers the most, can be fatal if not immediately diagnosed. Typical symptoms of meningitis include a headache, stiff neck and a dislike of bright light. Other symptoms are difficulty supporting own weight, fever, vomiting and diarrhoea, confusion and drowsiness

SOURCE

history

2009-08-29T17:42:00.000-07:00

Pandemic progress: how H1N1 spread

The Ottawa Citizen

Published: Saturday, August 29, 2009

April

WHO alert levels:

April 13

Email to a friend Printer friendly

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First recorded fatality

April 26

First Canadian cases

April 27: Level 4

'Increase in risk of pandemic'

April 29: Level 5

'Imminent' pandemic

May

May 20

Cases: 10,000+; Deaths: 80

June

June 11: Level 6: Pandemic declared

Countries affected: 74

Cases: 27,000+

Deaths: 141

July

July 24

Countries affected: 160+

Deaths: 800

6 Mexican officials declare an alert following an outbreak of "swine flu" in the town of La Gloria. About 60 per cent of the town of 3,000 are affected.

13 The first recorded fatality occurs, a 39-year-old woman in Oaxaca, Mexico.

16 Mexico contacts Pan-American Health Organization, an arm of the World Health Organization, over the illness.

22 The Mexican health ministry issues a nationwide alert and samples are sent to Canada for testing.

23 U.S. public health officials announce that seven people in California and Texas have been diagnosed with a flu virus known as H1N1, but all seven recovered. Canadian public health authorities announce that the Mexican "swine flu" virus is the H1N1 virus.

24 The WHO announces that around 800 suspected cases of H1N1 have been recorded in Mexico, including 60 suspected deaths. Health authorities around the world go on alert.

25 An emergency committee of the WHO meeting in Geneva warns that the virus has "pandemic potential." Mexico orders isolation of sick people and closes many public establishments.

26 Canadian officials confirm four cases of H1N1 on the country's east coast.

27 WHO raises its alert level from 3 to 4 on a scale of 6, meaning there is sustained human-to-human transmission of the virus causing outbreaks in at least one country and signalling a "significant increase in risk of a pandemic."

28 Costa Rica confirms instances of H1N1, the first country in Central America to be hit by the virus. Israel confirms its first case of swine flu, the first Middle Eastern country.

29 Ten New Zealand students are confirmed to have H1N1 flu after returning from a study trip to Mexico.

29A 23-month-old Mexican child is the first confirmed death in the United States and the first one outside Mexico. WHO raises alert level to 5, calling on countries to prepare for an "imminent" pandemic. The first cases involving people who had not visited Mexico are confirmed in the United States, Spain and Germany.

30 WHO adopts the term "influenza A (H1N1)" after veterinary experts say disease is not occurring among pigs.

30 Egypt says it intends to slaughter its entire pig population, even though no cases have been detected there and despite the WHO pronouncement that H1N1 cannot be caught from eating properly prepared pork. This leads to clashes with the Christian minority, who keep most of Egypt's 400,000 pigs.

30The Netherlands, Switzerland and Ireland confirm instances of the virus.

1 Police in Hong Kong seal off the Metropark hotel after test results on a 25-year-old Mexican man confirmed he has the virus. The WHO warns that the traditional flu vaccines have little effect against the virus.

2 South Korea confirms its first instance of the virus, isolating a 51-year-old woman who had returned from a trip to Mexico. France, Denmark and Italy report their first confirmed cases of H1N1. India says it is monitoring a suspected case of H1N1.

SOURCE

the panic is worldwide

2009-08-26T18:12:00.000-07:00

Half of U.S. may get infected with H1N1: Experts

by Priya Markanda - August 26, 2009

Washington, August 26: The President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology Monday estimated that the H1N1 influenza has the capacity to infect half of the U.S. population, hospitalize more than 1.8 million people and cause 90,000 deaths.

These numbers appear in an 86-page report, assessing government's response to the first pandemic influenza in the last 41 years, submitted to the White House.

The presidential panel estimated that the pandemic disease could infect more than 60 million to 120 million people during the fall of next season.

Panel's findings
According to Harold Varmus of New York's Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, who co-chairs the 21-member council, “This is going to be fairly serious," said. "It's going to stress every aspect of our health system.”

However, Mark Lipsitch of the Harvard School of Public Health said that the estimates of the "plausible scenario" are based on assumptions, focusing mainly on the swine flu behavior in U.S. during the 1957-58 Asian flu.

“They are not a prediction, but they are a possibility,” he said. “If it turned out to affect a lot more adults, the severity would be a lot worse.”

The panel also pointed out that though more elderly people succumb to the regular flu, H1N1 virus is more likely to kill young adults and children.

World-wide swine flu deaths
Approximately, 2000 people so far have died due to the H1N1 influenza since its outbreak in the month of April, according to the World Health Organization. In all, more than 200,000 laboratory-confirmed swine flu infections have been reported to the global health watchdog.

Australia: The death toll from swine flu in the country has reached 138, with two confirmed deaths in the Australian Capital Territory, 36 in North South Wales, six in the Northern Territory, 30 in Queensland, 15 in Southern Territory, six in Tasmania, 24 in Victoria and 19 in Western Territory.

Britain: Fresh 10 swine flu deaths have been confirmed last week, bringing the total death toll in the UK to 59 and affecting multiple more.

India: Swine flu deaths continued in India as well with a 44-year-old woman and a 28-year-old man succumbing to the virus in Delhi and Bangalore respectively, pushing the pandemic toll to 76.

Peru: With 18 new deaths in Peru during the past eight days, the count has risen to 80, Peru Health Ministry said. The latest deaths occurred in the regions of Lima (six), Moquegua (three), Tacna (two), Arequipa (two), Lambayeque (two), Ayacucho (one), La Libertad (one) and Piura (one).

South Africa: The worst predictions of the WHO about swine flu are coming true in SA after another two deaths were announced in the country yesterday, taking the toll to 20. More than 5000 people in South Africa have now contracted swine flu, and two pregnant moms in the Eastern Cape have died recently.

Taiwan: The country has so far recorded five deaths and 38,000 infected patients with a rate of 14,000 new cases a week, according to the Centers for Disease Control. The three latest patients included a 23-year-old man, a 23-year-old woman and a 15-year-old boy.

Thailand: A health ministry official has reported 8 more swine flu-related deaths in Thailand, bringing the total to 119.

U.S.: The largest toll has been recorded in North and South America, with approximately 1600 deaths reported so far.

SOURCE

FAQs

2009-08-25T17:29:00.000-07:00

Protecting Families Against the H1N1 Virus

Wednesday's Sessions
• Politics: Michael A. Fletcher, 11
• Pearlstein: Health-Care Reform, 11
• Dining: Tom Sietsema, 11
• Cooking: Food Section, 1
• Online Culture: Monica Hesse, 1
• Health Care: Argument Against, 1

Weekly Schedule
Recent Live Q&As

Amy Garcia, RN, MSN

Executive Director of the National Association of School Nurses
Tuesday, August 25, 2009; 1:30 PM

Amy Garcia, executive director of the National Association of School Nurses, will discuss precautionary steps families can take during the school year to avoid getting the H1N1 virus and what to do if a member of their household becomes sick. She was online Tuesday, Aug. 25 at 1:30 p.m. ET.

____________________

Amy Garcia: Hi! I am Amy Garcia RN. I am the executive director of the National Association of School Nurses. NASN is a professional organization. Our members take care of children in public and private schools in the United States and around the world. NASN supports school nurses to keep children in school, healthy and ready to learn.

_______________________

Arlington, Va.: I have five kids in four different schools ranging in age from 18 months to 12 years old. Aside from the hand washing lecture, what other things can I tell my kids to do at school to keep their exposure to a minimum?

Amy Garcia: Great question. Your children will follow your lead, so model for them:

1. Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds (about the time it takes to sing Happy Birthday twice)

2. Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or into your elbow or shoulder.

3. Stay home when you are ill. Use a thermometer to check for a fever. Stay home for 24 hours after the fever is completely gone.

4. Take advantage of the vaccine when it becomes available -- both seasonal flu vaccine and H1N1. If you have any questions, ask your school nurse or health care provider.

5. If you or a family member develop the flu, notify your health-care provider early as there are antivirals that may lessen the severity.

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Minneapolis: So, isn't the H1N1 strain still just the flu? Is the concern that we just don't know how it will react, as compared to the flu that we usually get every year? Or is it something more than that?

Amy Garcia: This strain of H1N1 flu is novel, meaning new. So it spreads easily because people have not been exposed and do not have antibodies to it. This strain of H1N1 concerns me for several of reasons:

1. It disproportionately impacts children and pregnant women.

2. There seems to be a higher incidence of pneumonia, possibly because this virus replicates deep inside the lung.

3. It spreads very easily and quickly. My school nurse friends who have witnessed outbreaks describe large numbers of children getting very sick, very quickly.

4. The H1N1 virus may mutate to be more deadly, and still very contagious.

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Children under six months: Hello!

I have an infant who will be six months old in late October. What precautions can I take and ask his daycare provider to take to ensure that he is as safe as possible during what is predicted to be the height of the outbreak?

Also, I'm tentatively planning a trip to the west coast about the same time (not by choice, but for a family obligation). I could potentially postpone this airplane trip until next spring. What would you do, thinking of the health of a six month old? Thank you!!

Amy Garcia: Your child is very lucky that you are thinking ahead.

Handwashing and covering coughs are critical. Make sure your day care is careful to exclude children with a fever. We know that children shed this virus easily, so attention to detail is important.

When the vaccine becomes available, ask your health-care provider if it is right for your child.

Trust your instincts on travel. It has been mothers' wisdom for many years to keep infants out of crowds.

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Mumbai, India: What could be the best way to protect from H1N1?

Amy Garcia: www.flu.gov has excellent recommendations for families, schools, workplaces and other settings.

The key things to do are:

1. Regular, thorough hand washing

2. Cover your coughs and sneezes

3. Stay home when ill

4. Ask your health-care provider about being vaccinated for both seasonal and H1N1 flu when the vaccines are ready

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Rome, N.Y.: Why aren't schools required to have tissues and hand sanitizers in every room? "An ounce of prevention..."?

Amy Garcia: Every parent should ask the school district:

What is your plan to keep my child safe and healthy?

Do we have a school nurse, full time in my child's school?

Is there plenty of soap and water or hand sanitizer available?

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Alexandria, Va.: Thank you for taking our questions. About a week ago, our kids got sick -- fevers and a cough they still have. They are 3 and 6 years old, so it was hard to know if they had any other flu symptoms, but their dad and I subsequently got sore throats and muscle aches. We are wondering if we had mild cases of H1N1, but we didn't go to the doctor since we read that physicians have stopped testing for H1N1 and recommend staying home. Is there anything else going around right now that would mimic flu symptoms? I am unable to find any information about H1N1's prevalence in this area, or a good definition of what a mild case would feel like, so any information you can provide would be appreciated.

Amy Garcia: Flu symptoms can be tough to distinguish. Flu comes on quickly and has a fever, aches and pains. Children may also have GI symptoms.

Although we are focused on H1N1, seasonal flu is always a threat that should not be underestimated. When you or a family member are ill, notify your health care provider early. Anti-viral medications may help lessen the severity of the symptoms. Rest and fluids are important. If there are any problems breathing, seek medical care IMMEDIATELY!

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Rockville, Md.: I have three kids, ages 7, 5, and six months. Would you recommend the baby also get the swine flu vaccine? Would you recommend travel to Mexico during Thanksgiving week? My kids' pediatrician seems to think Cancun would be safer than the U.S. in November because the U.S. will be in the midst of flu season.

Amy Garcia: Ask your physician or health-care provider if the vaccine is right for your baby.

The H1N1 is pandemic, meaning that it is widespread in many countries. I am a big believer in keeping babies away from crowds, whenever possible.

I hope that this flu does not spread widely, and that the vaccines are effective once they become available. I would love to go to Cancun this fall!

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Washington, D.C.: My 19-year-old son currently has the H1N1 virus. (But, just for my own information, which antivirals do you recommend?) He is at a Southern state university far from here, but is getting the treatment. Couple of questions. How long does he need to stay inside his room? Does having it now sort of fortify him against future flus, as I've heard? Are there any other precautions he should take now and later, and what about people who he comes in contact with? Thanks.

Amy Garcia: There are two antivirals currently on the market. Your son's health care provider will prescribe what your son needs. Anti-virals should be given as soon as possible after exposure and symptoms.

The Centers for Disease Control currently recommend that persons with the flu stay away from school or work for 24 hours after the fever is completely gone. That means gone without medication.

Anyone who has the flu needs to get plenty of rest and fluids and to seek medical care immediately if there is a problem breathing or any question.

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Fort Washington, Md.: My son has chronic tonsillitis. He is scheduled for a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy in mid-September. I am worried that his illnesses have weakened his immune system. Is there anything I can do to boost his immune system?

Amy Garcia: Your son will need a healthy, varied diet and plenty of sleep, both of which boost the immune system.

He should follow the standard precautions about hand washing, etc. that I have addressed in other questions. Talk to your health-care provider about the flu vaccine and any other measure that would be right for your son.

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Rockville, Md.: Mrs. Garcia, why is it that the flu typically thrives in cold weather months? It seems it needs a warm, humid environment to thrive in. I cannot seem to make sense of this.

Amy Garcia: Colds and flu are more easily transmitted during the cold weather months because we are inside more -- and thus, closer together. Schools are open, and that contributes to the spread of disease in a big way! Children shed the flu virus more easily than adults.

We also know that cold weather dries out the airways which is one important part of your body's natural defense.

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Rockville, Md.: Mrs. Garcia - Thanks for taking my question. Wouldn't you say that even despite the fear of the H1N1 this flu season that we have a lot more understanding and protection than the folks in, say, 1918? I guess health-care advocates have a fine line to walk between calming the public's fear and spreading too much information that could cause panic.

Amy Garcia: You are right. We have an understanding of the virus, we have vaccines, airway support, antibiotics to treat complications like pneumonia, and easier access to health care than our ancestors did in 1918.

That said... this strain of influenza seems to spread rapidly.

_______________________

More prevention advice: I know this sounds like a no-brainer but shouldn't parents also be "extra focused" on the eating habits of their children to strengthen their immune systems?

I don't think that tons of Vitamin C would ward off the the flu, but an active and healthy child certainly has a better shot at quick recovery.

Amy Garcia: I couldn't say it any better myself.

A healthy, balanced diet, and plenty of sleep for ALL of us!

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Gainesville, Va.: When should a teacher get a swine flu shot?

Amy Garcia: Teachers should get a flu shot when they become available. There will be two vaccinations this year -- one for seasonal flu and one for the H1N1 strain. Both are important.

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Boston: Is it true that the elderly will have to wait to get the H1N1 vaccine? My mother is 92 and she insists the vaccine will go to children and young adults first.

Amy Garcia: The H1N1 flu occurs more often and is more severe among children and pregnant women. We don't know why, but the elderly may have immunity tied to past epidemics. Your mother's health-care provider will know about her specific needs.

Your mother should be SURE to get the seasonal flu vaccine as early as possible, and should ask her health care provider if her pneumocoocal pneumonia vaccine is up to date.

_______________________

Massachusetts: I've heard from a few people and read in a few journals that the human race has seen the H1N1 virus before. First around 1918 with the Spanish influenza and then again there was an H1N1 outbreak in the '70s. I just don't understand how this "swine flu" H1N1 virus can be different from previous outbreaks of H1N1.

Amy Garcia: Yes. There have been several epidemics/pandemics in the past. There is a strain of H1N1 virus that is included in the seasonal vaccine most years. However, it is NOT the same strain as this new H1N1 virus.

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Washington, D.C.: I have a child with egg allergy. Is it possible for him to get the vaccine or is there one that is acceptable?

Amy Garcia: Ask your child's health-care provider about his or her specific need.

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Philadelphia: I've heard conflicting advice about mask-wearing. Are masks effective?

Amy Garcia: Cold and flu viruses are typically transmitted through the nose and mouth. In certain settings, masks may make sense. The website www.flu.gov speaks to this.

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Metro?: Is there any way of protecting myself against H1N1 on the Metro? (Short of holding my breath and refusing to touch anything?)

Amy Garcia: My 17-year-old son and ride the metro to and from school and work most days. I carry hand sanitizer, because I do touch surfaces. I also stand away from anyone who is coughing or sneezing. If the cases or severity increase, I may choose other options.

_______________________

Why we get colds in the winter: I've recently learned that it is because our exposure to sunlight is much less so we get much less Vitamin D. I learned this in the comments page of a Washington Post article that recommended Googling Vitamin D council.

Amy Garcia: Vitamins are an important part of a balanced diet, which protects us from disease all year long. Ask your health-care provider if vitamin supplements are right for you.

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Virginia: Will the nasal spray vaccine be available for H1N1 this fall? Two of my children have a severe egg allergies and cannot get the regular vaccine, but it's my understanding that the spray would be okay for them. Also, what is the age cutoff for this? My older daughter is 4, but my son is currently only 15 months.

Amy Garcia: The nasal vaccine may be the first to be ready for the public. Ask your health-care provider about your child's allergy.

The CDC recommendation is vaccine for 6 months and up. www.flu.gov has more about the specifics.

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Philadelphia: There is a theory that the people who were either exposed to or got the 1957 flu may have an immunity to this year's flu. If I was alive in 1957 but did not get the flu then, am I in the category of those believed to be immune?

Amy Garcia: Typically, the human body develops antibodies to cold and flu viruses one strain or type at a time, either through exposure or vaccination. When you are exposed to a certain strain, you may be protected from that strain the next time it circulates.

Be sure to consider both the seasonal flu vaccine and the H1N1 vaccine.

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Wheaton, Md.: Are there any extra precautions that college students can take? Staying home isn't that helpful when home is a dormitory. Will enough vaccine be available for them?

Amy Garcia: College students should be particular about handwashing, covering coughs and being isolated from other students when ill. The CDC is concerned about all students having access to a vaccine, including college students.

I also suggest you make sure your pre-teen and teens, including college freshman talk to your health care provider about a meningococcal meningitis vaccine, as this is a rare, but potentially deadly illness that spreads this time of year.

_______________________

In-home care: When should our children's in-home care providers have the vaccines this season?

Amy Garcia: Child care workers should receive the vaccine when it becomes available.

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Rockville, Md.: "Children shed the flu virus more easily than adults"

Maybe you should define your use of "shed". I'm thinking most people here will read "shed" as getting rid of (i.e. heal) when you are using it meaning impart, release, send forth, etc (i.e. spread).

Amy Garcia: Children sneeze and cough more, potentially spreading the virus further. I don't know about your kids, but mine sometimes forget to cover their cough. This is what I mean by the word "shed".

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Fairfax County, Va.: General question for my family: My local grocery store is offering walk-in flu vaccinations (not swine flu, of course, but the regular kind). Is there any downside to getting these now, a month or two earlier than we usually do? The supply seems plentiful and there are no lines.

Is there any advantage at all to getting these vis a vis swine flu, or is it just a totally different illness? I'm thinking at least you won't have regular flu at the time when you contract swine flu, if you get vaccinated now for regular flu.

Amy Garcia: I have already received my seasonal flu vaccine. There used to be a concern that it should be given before fall, but the recommendations have changed. It is not too early to be protected from the seasonal flu.

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New York, N.Y.: How effective are the drugs Relenza and Tamiflu in treating H1N1 and are they recommended for preschoolers?

Amy Garcia: The antivirals have been shown to be effective at lowering symptoms when given early in the course of the disease. Ask your health-care provider if the antivirals are right for your child.

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Rockville, Md.: As a concerned parent, I want to know why there isn't a vaccine for the H1N1 virus yet. When can we expect a vaccine to be made available to the public?

Amy Garcia: It takes months to manufacture and test an influenza vaccine.

Last Spring, the CDC and the World Health Organization identified this new H1N1 virus as a big problem, AFTER the seasonal flu vaccine was already in production. As a nurse, I am impressed that trials have already started.

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Clifton, Va.: How many people die each year from the normal flu and how does that compare with the 90,000 predicted deaths to swine flu?

Amy Garcia: Typically, the seasonal flu in the United States causes 200,000 hospitalizations and 35,000 + deaths. Influenza is always serious.

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: What are the contraindications for the vaccine? What side effects have been seen?

Amy Garcia: The vaccine trials are not complete yet. Watch the Web site www.flu.govfor more information.

I know that many people worry about vaccines, but we are lucky to live in a country during a time when there is protection from deadly diseases that have wreaked havoc throughout history. This generation has not seen polio, tetnaus, measles, diptheria and other diseases that maim and kill. In my travels to other countries, I have personally seen children die from tetnaus and whooping cough -- diseases which are easily prevented.

_______________________

Fairfax, Va.: Are there any teaching aids or games to teach kids to wash their hands?

Amy Garcia: Yes. www.flu.gov

And Kathleen Sebelius, the Secretary of HHS, sponsored a contest for videos on flu prevention!

_______________________

Memphis, Tenn.: We don't get sick days at my work at all, not even full-time people, and vacation must be scheduled in advance. I work full time I'm worried about what I'll do if my child (third grade), spouse (enrolled in college) or I should get this flu. If I miss work, I risk losing my job, and also, just missing a few days jeopardizes everything: my mortgage, my car payment, etc. People come to work sick here all the time because we have no paid sick days and they can't afford to miss work. This is my biggest concern about this epidemic. Isn't there anything the government can do to help protect me and my family from a greedy employer of over 250 people who refuses to provide sick days and may not excuse my absence and certainly won't pay me?

Amy Garcia: The National Association of School Nurses has been supportive of Rep. DeLauro's bill that provides earned sick leave for part time employees.

School nurses regularly hear from parents who are afraid they will lose their job if they take off work to care for a sick child.

Many cities are encouraging employers to allow for time off for illness so that we are not forced to work sick or send our children to school when they are sick.

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Traveling: My mother-in-law, 77 years old, needs to travel this week Israel. We've been told that their hospitals are full of people with H1N1. We are debating if we should allow her to travel at all. Is there any preventive measure we can take, or a vaccine to give?

Amy Garcia: Your mother should talk with her health-care provider -- the person who knows her health history. The H1N1 vaccine is not ready yet, but the seasonal flu and pneumococcal pneumonia vaccines are available.

_______________________

Birmingham, Ala.: I have a child with mild asthma. Are there extra precautions I should take with regard to treating his asthma this fall and winter?

Amy Garcia: Children with chronic health conditions like diabetes and asthma should be very high priority for receiving the vaccine.

Talk to your health-care provider about your child's asthma action plan. Make sure that there is a plan to prevent asthma attacks.

_______________________

Alexandria, Va.: The CDC is recommending the "regular" flu shot and the H1N1 vaccine this fall/winter, correct? Does this apply to everyone in the home, plus the caregiver? Guidelines were offered for children in school, do you have any suggestions/guidelines for children who are taken care of at home? When is the best time to vaccine our children (they're 1 and 2 years old)?

Amy Garcia: Complicated question -- YES! I am going to refer you to www.flu.gov for the specifics.

_______________________

Reston, Va.: What steps can we take to keep our preschooler with reactive airway disease safe from the swine flu? (She already does a low daily dose of inhaled steroids and everyone in our household gets a flu shot every year.) I recognize the importance of frequent handwashing, sanitizing hands when soap and water are not available, coughing/sneezing into the elbow rather than the hand, keeping her away from sick people (and large crowds should swine flu hit the area), and keeping her immunity strong through proper diet and good sleep habits. But preschool has me worried, since of course if one child (or his or her sibling) gets sick, it's likely that there will be a big outbreak among the children. Also, are there concerns about the safety of the swine flu vaccine for small children?

Amy Garcia: The H1N1 vaccine has just started trials, so I don't know of any concerns. It sounds like you are doing a great job caring for the unique needs of your child.

_______________________

Philadelphia: Who pays for the vaccines? I have read that some states, including my state which has yet to have its state government budget approved, have not authorized the purchase of the vaccine. If this is true, what does this mean to the availability of vaccines in Pennsylvania?

Amy Garcia: The federal government will pay for the H1N1 vaccine given in social settings (health department, schools, etc.) Most health plans also pay for the vaccine and administration.

_______________________

Amy Garcia: Thank you for the wonderful questions.

I want to refer you to www.flu.gov for more information.

School nurses are also a great resource for your questions about the flu. Best, Amy

_______________________

Editor's Note: washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions. washingtonpost.com is not responsible for any content posted by third parties.

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H1N1 raises hygiene consciousness in INDIA

2009-08-21T23:31:00.000-07:00

H1N1 raises hygiene levels, hand sanitisers vanish off shelves

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debeshbanerjee

Posted: Aug 22, 2009 at 0029 hrs IST

licence to KILL

2009-08-19T18:08:00.000-07:00

India’s drivers: licensed to kill

Road accident deaths decline steadily in Europe and America. They keep rising in India

Arvind Kala

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Governments embrace complexity. But innovative thinking can solve tough problems. Take India’s huge number of road accidents. They occur because India’s roads swarm with vehicles in the hands of unskilled drivers who would never get a driving licence in Europe or America. They would fail the rigorous driving test every candidate is put through in those safety-conscious societies.

Here, in India, anybody can get a driving licence by greasing palms in government transport offices. The result is that India has one of the highest road accident rates in the world. This rate will drop if the government dilutes its driving-licence monopoly and permits India’s top auto companies to issue them, too.

If this were to happen, driving standards will improve because a Maruti, Tata Motors or Mahindra driving-licence authority will fail candidates with insufficient driving skills. Somebody may say privatization won’t help because the failed applicants will get a government-issued driving licence and get onto the road. True, but over time, the government-issued driving licence will be discredited by market forces. Private-sector licences will be sought for their credibility. Car, bus and taxi drivers will seek them to improve their employability. Employers will prefer a driver with a private-sector driving licence to one with a government-issued one. Even parents anxious about their children’s safety will insist that they get a private-sector driving licence before they get on the road. In a few years, the government-issued licence will lose all value.

Privatizing the issue of driving licences will pose no legal obstacle. It can be done with a simple amendment of the Motor Vehicles Act. There’s no political obstacle either. If the government can privatize airlines and telecom networks, it can privatize driving-licence issue. Besides, India has no other choice. In the US, road accident deaths fell from nearly 55,000 in 1970 to around 45,000 in 2003. In India, they rose from 81,000 to 98,000 in the last five years alone. And road accident injuries shot up from 383,000 in 2003 to 447,000 in 2005.

The accidents come at a huge economic cost. They bring ruin to lakhs of families whose members are killed or maimed. Tragically, most road accident deaths in India are avoidable because they are a consequence of improper driving. Which itself is a consequence of people getting a driving licence without even taking a test. Contrast this with Britain where driving-licence tests are so tough that examiners fail six out of 10 candidates. Western societies and countries such as Japan see a car with an incompetent driver as an unguided missile. Buses, lorries and trucks are exactly that—in India. They account for 4% of India’s vehicle population, but they cause 35% of India’s road accident deaths. Their drivers, including Blue Line ones, carry valid driving licences. Like James Bond, they are licensed to kill.

In Britain, a candidate’s driving skill isn’t sufficient to get him a licence. He must have practical knowledge of his car engine. An examiner asks him to check a car’s engine oil, the coolant and windscreen washer level, brake fluid reservoir, the state of the hand-brake, and even tyres for tread depth. The actual driving test lasts a tough 40 minutes in which a candidate has to reverse his vehicle around a corner and up the street along a kerb. If he touches the kerb, he flunks. If he reverses too far from the kerb, he flunks again. An average Briton gets a driving licence only after two-three attempts. The result is a long-time continuing decline in Britain’s road accident rate.

India’s roads will also become safer if driving skills are tested by private sector auto companies. The companies don’t have to replace the government’s transport offices. They can be parallel service providers such as Jet Airways in the aviation sector or Bharti in telecom. The privatization doesn’t have to be done nation-wide. Even if it’s tried and tested in Delhi or Mumbai, it’ll make a huge difference because Delhi’s vehicle population (4.2 million) is six times that of Bihar (700,000). Any move to privatize the giving of driving licences will be stoutly resisted by politicians and officials. They fatten on their current monopoly. Issuing new driving licences and renewing old ones is a gigantic industry. India has 7.6 crore motorized vehicles and their number rises by 4 million a year. Government transport offices issued 4 million driving licences in fiscal 2001-02. To avoid standing in long queues, applicants pay anything from Rs200 to Rs2,000 to speed up their work.

So, India’s 650-plus transport offices have an illegal turnover of a few hundred crore rupees, which is shared by politicians and government officials. Naturally, they will fight to retain this lucrative monopoly.

There’s an irresistible argument for diluting this monopoly. The dilution will be a pro-poor measure. Road accidents in India don’t kill the affluent sitting inside cars. The accidents kill and injure middle-class and low-income pedestrians and two-wheeler riders. It’s these people whose lives will be saved when private-sector driving licence authorities start working with uncompromising integrity.

Arvind Kala is a freelance writer which, he says, is a euphemism for being unemployed. Comment at theirview@livemint.com

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H1N1 most recent UPDATES u will find here

2009-08-19T17:50:00.000-07:00

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latest News on the FLU in India

2009-08-17T17:42:00.000-07:00

With 6 new cases today, total H1N1 cases rise to 45 in Gujarat
Times of India
PTI 17 August 2009, 07:06pm IST AHMEDABAD: Six more people have tested positive for swine flu in Ahmedabad on Monday, taking the total number of cases ...
See all stories on this topic

12 more cases, Bangalore shifts gear
Indian Express
According to virologist Dr V Ravi from the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, whose lab is carrying out H1N1 tests, the virus is ...
See all stories on this topic

Sourav niece has H1N1, toll at 47
The Statesman
KOLKATA, 17 AUG: Eight more persons, including the niece of former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly, were tested positive for Swine Flu in the state ...
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India's Worst Affected H1N1 Virus Region Stabilized
NTDTV
Pune City in the western Indian state of Maharashtra, has been hardest hit by the spread of the H1N1virus, commonly known as swine flu. ...
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H1N1 Cases In Kashmir Rise To 3
Kashmir Observer
Srinagar, Aug 17, KONS: With one more patient testing positive for the swine flu virus, the number of infected persons across the valley has risen to three. ...
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India And Malaysia Plan To Promote Rural Tourism
Bernama
Allaying fears of the Influenza A(H1N1), she said it was a problem but the disease had not affected tourist arrivals in the country and had in fact ...
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GlaxoSmithKline Begins Testing H1N1 Vaccine; Opinion Piece ...
Kaiser Family Foundation
The Associated Press examines reaction to the spread of H1N1 flu in India as the country deals with "dueling outbreaks of swine flu and swine flu panic. ...
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Barclays, Soc Gen Get Saudi License For Investment Banking
Wall Street Journal
RIYADH (Zawya Dow Jones)--Barclays Saudi Arabia and Societe Generale Saudi Arabia received Sunday licenses from the Capital Market Authority to conduct ...
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MinnPost.com

Latest swine flu casualty: Bollywood
MinnPost.com
Panic has built up across India where crowded public transport systems, cinema halls, schools and shopping malls have aided in quickly transmitting the H1N1 ...
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Government to outsource H1N1 tests to private labs
Sify
Over 1700 people have already been infected by the contagious virus of which at least 25 people have died so far in India.
See all stories on this topic

Google Blogs Alert for: h1n1 india

Pune woman dies of H1N1, toll rises to 28 | TheMedGuru
By Priya Markanda
Of the 152 fresh H1N1 cases, the financial capital Mumbai reported a total of 60 new confirmed cases, followed by Pune with 18, Delhi and Chennai 11 each, Coimbatore and Bangalore 10 each, Aurangabad 9, Mangalore and Ernakulam 3 each, ... Assam reports first case of H1N1 virus by Neharika Sabharwal; New screening centers in AP to combat H1N1 menace by Jyoti Pal; Pune records 15th death as Indiatoll touches 24 by Jyoti Pal; H1N1 flu continues to spread worldwide, ...
TheMedGuru - hospitals india,... - http://www.themedguru.com/

Government to outsource H1N1 tests to private labs | World Latest ...
By ians
New Delhi, Aug 17, Struggling to cope with the rush of suspected swine flu cases, the government is planning to outsource H1N1 tests to select private diagnostic centres to reduce the backlog and to ensure that patients get their results on ... And, in one suspected case in Chhattisgarh, it took NCDC over 60 hours to send the result. Over 1700 people have already been infected by the contagious virus of which at least 25 people have died so far in India. Share and Enjoy: ...
World Latest News - fast and latest news - http://www.worldlatestnews.com/

Government to outsource H1N1 tests to private labs
Government to outsource H1N1 tests to pr...“The health ministry said they are likely to... ... Government to outsource H1N1 tests to private labs ... New Delhi, Aug 17. Identifying terrorism, insurgency in the northeast and Maoist violence as the three biggest challenges facing the country, Home Minister P. Chidambaram Monday said state governments need to do more to stamp out the threats to India'sinternal security. Sourav Ganguly's niece gets swine flu. Kolkata, Aug 17 ...
Health & Medicine News - http://www.prokerala.com/news/health/

Vatican And Butler: Swine Flu Deaths Increase in India
By suresh sankar
Astonishingly, the Swine Flu epicentre in India, Pune rumored only 4 electropositive cases on Friday. Delhi and Metropolis reportable 13 affirmatory cases each. While remaining A H1N1 advantageous cases were rumored the many people in ...
Vatican And Butler - http://www.vatican2andbutler.org/

news FLASH

2009-08-14T17:20:00.000-07:00

Google News Alert for: h1n1 india

The Associated Press

In India swine flu panic spreads faster than virus
The Associated Press
NEW DELHI, India — The streets of the western city of Pune were half-empty, schools in Mumbai were ordered closed, and people suffering aches flooded ...
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Restrict travel to India - Chief Epidemiologist
Ceylon Daily News
Restrict travel to India as much as possible to prevent getting infected with Novel Influenza (A)H1N1. Persons who cannot avoid trips to India should take ...
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Fresh guidelines issued on H1N1 testing, treatment
Chandigarh Tribune
Doctors from AIIMS, RML and Safdarjung were also present, indicating that the government has managed to rope in private help for managing H1N1 spread in India.
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Hindu

President for accountable governance
Hindu
In her address to the nation on the eve of Independence Day, she expressed concern over deficient monsoon and the spread of A(H1N1) influenza. ...
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Current swine flu toll? Bah. Let's just have a ticker of ...
Los Angeles Times
In India, panic over the H1N1 epidemic is overwhelming hospitals, closing schools and movie theaters and keeping shoppers and workers at home. ...
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H1N1 deaths in India more than twice world rate
Daily Pioneer
Meanwhile, India on Friday reported its 24th casualty due to the deadly H1N1 virus. Besides the 15 fatalities in Pune, two persons died in Mumbai and one ...
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Countering H1N1 will take a concerted attack
Daily News & Analysis
India still had patients who entered the country and passed on the virus to the large mass of people who now have to cope with the health hazard. ...
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Swine Flu in India: Few Cases, Much Panic
Wall Street Journal Blogs
India itself has had 23 confirmed deaths from swine flu (aka H1N1 flu), the Times of India says. “The amount of frenzy or hysteria is totally ...
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23 dead, 107 new swine cases in India
Sify
At least '6897 people have been tested so far, out of which 1390 are positive for influenza A (H1N1). Of the positive cases, 648 have been discharged, ...
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I-Day address: President cautions against corruption
Hindu
Ms. Patil said the government is also taking necessary measures to handle the H1N1 influenza. Citizens have to come forward to contribute to government's ...
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Google Blogs Alert for: h1n1 india

Akanksha Redhu » Blog Archive » Designer H1N1 Swine Flu masks ...
By Akanksha
Fashion designer, Personal stylist, Akanksha Redhu, NIFT New Delhi, Fashion College, Lookbook and updated styles of whats hot and trendy, apparel designer, design, fashion design, delhi, india.
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India fine-tunes swine flu guidelines | Sindh Today - Online News
By SindhToday
The meeting, which started at 4.30 p.m. and ended only at 10.00 p.m., was “in connection with the various actions taken by the government for containment and mitigation of H1N1 cases in India”, the health ministry said in a statement. ...
Sindh Today - Online News - http://www.sindhtoday.net/

Facts & Views About India Today.: Swine Flue Virus reaches More ...
By Yogesh Bailwal
Current Statistics of H1N1 Virus in India. Today Swine Flu has reached a number of Indian cities, death toll too has reached 24 across the country, out of which 15 are reportedly from Pune itself. Read more at 'Swine Flu Nationalwide ...
Facts & Views About India Today. - http://indiaataglance.blogspot.com/

11 pvt hospitals allowed to treat swine flu patients - India
By admin
Information on the H1N1 swine flu virus and what you can do to prevent its spread.
H1N1 NOW - http://www.h1n1now.com/

Unpublicized preventative steps for Swine Flue (Must Read)
By Logik
Subject: Important- Unpublicized preventative steps reg H1N1 - from a doctor AIMS Friends, Thanks to media hype about H1N1, several people who trust me have either approached or called me to advise. ...India's largest ISP forum ...
India Broadband Forum - http://www.indiabroadband.net/

HELP LINES

2009-08-13T18:05:00.000-07:00

All India Level Toll free number 1075(toll free) or 1800-11-4377

Puducherry 1070 and 1077

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Mah Govt wake up now

2009-08-12T18:52:00.000-07:00

Swine Flu H1N1 - New swine in old bottle - Most Indian media are today abuzz with swine flu activity in and around the government and public circles. Since yesterday, India’s health minister Azad has been seen busy, coordinating a national health disaster management. Still, it is a matter of great shame and surprise to most, how India has bungled this one up.

It was well over a few months ago that we heard of screening at India’s international airports, an quarantines for suspected swine flu patients. All that precaution, seemed to stem the tide, for a while. For just a little while that is. The government officials and the public health experts in India, imagined that this was a disaster avoided. Hardly. Swine flu seems to have come back with a vengeance and it seems to have adapted itself to the Indian climate, and now has gotten comfortable with India’s hospitality and warmth.

One would think we would have learnt the lessons after seeing a dozen deaths across the country in a matter of a few dozen hours. Ha! India’s Health minister was upto the old Indian politician trick today, telling the Indian press how India has handled it better than USA and UK. “…They’ve had so many deaths, we haven’t…”, he opined. Although statistically and numerically accurate, his statement shows his ignorance and inexperience in handling disasters of this kind, and that is a very scary fact. For the health minister and his team, may have wasted precious time during last several weeks, focusing their attention on other much less important matters than a worldwide pandemic that everyone knew would soon come to India. And whenever he was hard pressed for answers, the minister’s response was that ‘health is a state subject..”.

If health is indeed a state subject, then what is the need to have a health ministry in New Delhi? Why don’t we just shut down the central health ministry and save us some Rupees that are needlessly spent in supporting a department that has no work and no job except to make suggestions about public policies?

But that’s not going to be much comfort, either. The state level health departments are full of even stupider morons who can’t seem to produce an intelligent monosyllable. As of this moment, Maharashtra government’s health department’s website fails to make even a mention of swine flu. And even if they did decide to wake up, what would they do? The health ministry of that state, which is currently the epicenter of the swine flu, declares these to beimportant objectives :

6 To improve the maintenance of buildings

7 To implement various national health programmes

8 To give health education for improving knowledge, attitude and behaviour of the community.

Look who’s improving whose behavior and attitude?

Source :Its IndiaTime

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global death toll

2009-08-11T17:18:00.000-07:00

Global death toll of A/H1N1 flu rises to 1,462, says WHO

www.chinaview.cn 2009-08-12 05:50:21

GENEVA, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) -- The A/H1N1 influenza has caused a total of 1,462 deaths worldwide since it was first detected in April, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Tuesday.

In a latest update of the flu situation, the UN agency said a total of 177,457 confirmed infections have been officially reported from over 170 countries and regions.

But those figures are obviously lower than the real number of A/H1N1 cases, as many countries with sustainable community-level transmissions were no longer required to test and report new cases, the agency said.

According to a WHO spokeswoman, the A/H1N1 influenza, which was declared as a pandemic in June, "appears to have peaked and is now in decline" in some countries in the southern hemisphere, including Argentina, Chile, Australia and New Zealand.

But the spread of the virus is still being seen in many of the tropical countries and in Asia, particularly in India, Thailand and Vietnam.

SOURCE

H1N1 India Wiki

2009-08-11T17:16:00.000-07:00

The Government of India has decided to screen all people entering India via the main airport hubs of Mumbai, New Delhi, Goa, Jaipur, Kochi,Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad. It said the primary focus will be on passengers entering from the United States of America, United Kingdom, Canada, Mexico, France, and New Zealand. A team of 32 medical professionals have been posted at these airports. The Ministry of Health is also trying to track down people who have entered India from Mexico in the last 10 days.^[62] It has been reported that one person recently traveled from Texas to Hyderabad with flu symptoms and was quarantined, but authorities refused to divulge his identity.^[63]Government health officials & WHO subsequently stated that there is no Swine flu in India and the said patient recovered from a common cold.^[64] Three other suspected cases of swine flu have been noticed.^[65] Two of them were flying from Chicago and the other one, who is UK citizen, aged 35, arrived from London. All of whom have been kept under observation in a hospital.^[66] As of 11th August 2009, 959 cases have been confirmed in India and 523 have been discharged with 10 deaths.^[67] The maximum deaths are found from Pune. As of 11th August, 8 people are dead from Pune. Pune has been declared onto a state of semi-emergency of pandemic.^[68]

making money on the FLU

2009-08-11T15:49:00.000-07:00

Booming business in the time of swine flu

Namrata Singh, Rohini Nair & Amrita Nair-Ghaswalla with Mahafreed Irani, TNN 12 August 2009, 02:35am IST

Text Size:

MUMBAI: Flick a coin — tails it’s pain, heads it’s gain. Conspiracy theorists will tell you arms producers live in fear of peace (when they’re

not actively promoting war) and pharmaceutical companies love the idea of a good cholera (actually, any disease will do).

Swine flu has produced its share of panic, and profit. Take Roche, which distributes Tamiflu. By the end of the year, this Swiss pharma giant will have sold 1.2 billion pounds worth of Tamiflu tablets — that almost Rs 10,000 crore!

Readers may recall that this paper ran a big story with a big graphic a few days ago on the stampede for face masks. Today, even money won’t get you an N-95, and people are willing to pay almost anything for it because they’ve been told it protects you from the big bad world of germs like no other masks does.

In the past few days, Tamiflu and masks have been joined in the war against swine flu by a slew of other protective ‘gear’ —- from vitamins, paracetamols, eucalyptus oil and alternative medicines, to liquid hand sanitisers, anti-bacterial washes, immunity builders, surface cleaners and thermometers. Products that were gathering dust at the back of chemists’ stores and now flying off the shelves faster than you can sneeze.

As stocks run low, manufacturers and retailers have found the perfect antidote to recession. Here’s how money is being made (legally) out of an epidemic:

* Pharma companies
Roche is raking it in big-time, but others aren’t doing too badly either. Vitamins and paracetamols are in demand. Makers of anti-bacterial and alcoholic hand gels and wipes (for instance, Reckitt Benckiser) and suppliers of swine flu kits (like Religare) are running to keep up with demand. Ever since India’s first recorded H1N1 death, Religare alone has sold over 200 kits worth Rs 500 each, a jump from the 700 that it sold over the last three months.

With the Centre set to lift the ban on production and sale of the anti-H1N1 oseltamivir drug (by companies other than Roche, which has the licence for the Tamiflu brand), desi manufacturers like Cipla, Ranbaxy and Hetero Drugs are preparing to launch more affordable, generic versions of the drug.

Cipla’s joint managing director Amar Lulla told TOI: “In the past, the production of flu vaccines was almost unprofitable and most companies producing such vaccines had pulled out of the US. This time round the scene could be just the opposite. We are awaiting the government’s call for local producers to supply the drug,’’ Lulla told TOI.

Ramesh Adige, president of Ranbaxy said: “Ranbaxy produces the generic equivalent of Tamiflu, the API (active pharmaceutical ingredient) oseltamivir and formulations. If required, Ranbaxy can provide close to a million capsules in the next few weeks to the Indian market.

Then, there’s the stampede to develop a vaccine for swine flu (oseltamivir is curative while a vaccine would be preventive). Industry estimates suggest that multinationals in the fray for making the swine flu vaccine, like Sanofi-Aventis, Novartis and GlaxoSmithKline, amongst a host of others, are expected to charge around $6 (approximately Rs 288) per dose although it shouldn’t cost more than $1 (Rs 48) per dose to produce it. Pharma companies will tell you it costs billions to develop a vaccine.

* Chemists
Meanwhile, Mumbaikars are turning to chemists to buy masks for protection, as also products useful for maintaining general hygiene. “Many corporates have placed huge orders — to the tune of 1,000 — N95 masks. We are unable to meet the demand,’’ said P Ferzandi, owner of Byculla Pharmacy.

“The N95 masks, too, are out of stock. We’ve contacted three manufacturers, but none of them have stocks. They said they would have to import, which will take eight to ten days, at least. In the meantime, the price is being inflated,’’ said Prasad Danwe, general secretary, Retail and Dispensing Chemists Association.

N95 and 99 masks are based on American standards. “We are in talks with Indian manufacturers who will provide us with two types of masks — the FFP1 and FFP2. We hope to make these available to consumers by Saturday at a cost between Rs 55 and Rs 60,’’ said Danwe.

According to Damji Palan, owner of Laxmi Chemist, and also the president of Retail and Dispensing Chemists Association, Mumbai, sales of products like Dettol Liquid wash, Lifebuoy hand wash, Nilgiri oil, etc have picked up in the last two weeks.

There is also a shortage of cough and cold medicines, and stocks of Meftal-P, the commonly used medication, are hard to get. People are also stocking up on cod liver oil to build up their immunity. Sources said that Universal Medicare, the company that markets Seacod, a cod liver oil capsule, has received many calls from consumers. Seacod has witnessed a growth of 40% in the April-July period this year vis-a-vis the same period last year. “We are promoting our brand as a product that builds resistance against cough and colds,’’ said the source.

* Websites
Even Indian websites on swine have witnessed heavy traffic on Tuesday. People from Mumbai, Pune, Chennai and Delhi are clicking away for information. Sites with domain names dedicated to the flu in India like www.swinefluindia.com, and www.swineflu-india.org recorded the highest traffic yesterday. “We have seen an unprecedented growth in traffic on our site. We have received a lot of mails and our page rank on Google has improved drastically,’’ said a spokesperson of swinefluindia.com.

* Consumer products
The awareness generated in the last two weeks on the use of hand sanitisers, disposable tissues, alcohol-based disinfectants, etc has resulted in a growing demand for these products. It’s little wonder, then, that disinfectants and hand sanitisers are out of stock.

The shortage of disinfectants has been compounded by individual customers buying up large quantities of stock. “On Monday, I managed to get a whole carton of protective hand wash, about 125 bottles. A customer came in and asked for 100 bottles and now my stock is over, ‘’ said Dinesh Patel, proprietor of a Cuffe Parade medical store.

Another newly introduced category — skincare wipes — is also expected to cash in on the H1N1 epidemic. Launched a year ago, Kara wipes are yet to reach the inflection point. Its maker, Aditya Birla group is hopeful that companies will adopt wipes to keep their hands and face sanitised. Vijay Kaul, chief marketing officer, Grasim Industries (pulps and fibre) said, “We are working on a new promotional strategy to educate people about using Kara wipes, which contain anti-bacterial, Triclosan.’’

SOURCE

every third Indian will be infected

2009-08-11T00:08:00.000-07:00

One-third of Indian Population to be infected with Swine Flu

August 9, 2009, 7:42 pm

No means to completely stop it

Union health minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said on Sunday that that is no way the government can stop the spread of the dreaded H1N1 virus in India.

He stated that in all probability, about 33 percent of the Indian population would contract the virus by 2011. However according to a report by WHO, most of those infected will suffer from mostly mild symptoms. But there is no need to panic as India is better prepared than any other nation in the world. ``It's a global pandemic. If countries across the world - around 168 till now - are suffering from a H1N1 outbreak, so will India. We are, however, lucky that it didn't start from here,'' Azad said.

According to Azad, HiN1 hasn't even reached the pandemic stage yet in the country. Azad in fact complimented the medical authorities and security personnel who kept swine flu in india at bay for so long when countries like UK and US reported swine flu cases in thousands per day.

"The US, which has stopped recording positive cases, has at present 6,506 people hospitalized with H1N1 infection and 436 deaths. In Australia, there are around 30,000 confirmed H1N1 cases with 85 deaths. So you can understand the intensity of the virus spread. In comparison, till yesterday India had 782 positive H1N1 cases of which 511 have been treated and discharged and 271 are under treatment. We have recorded four deaths till now,'' he added.

According to the health minister, two of India's innovative interventions - entry screening at airports and ports and mass scale contact tracing - have proved a saver. ``Or else, by now we would have had crores of H1N1 infected people,'' Azad said. He said India's interventions had been applauded globally. ``We have till now screened over 45 lakh passengers in 22 international airports. Every third H1N1 positive case in India was identified through airport screening. And then we tracked down every single person the infected patient may have come in contact with, looking for H1N1 symptoms in them. Till now, over 8,000 contacts of infected patients have been traced and given prophylactic treatment besides those who were found to be H1N1 positive,'' he said.

So what are the new

SOURCE

Govt of INDIA notification

2009-08-11T00:04:00.000-07:00

go here

WHO says

2009-08-10T23:59:00.001-07:00

WHO briefs diplomatic and UN missions on Influenza A (H1N1)

A briefing on the spread of the new Influenza A (H1N1) virus was organized for the diplomatic missions and UN agencies in New Delhi on May 26. During the briefing the global situation, India’s preparedness, and WHO pandemic alert levels were discussed.

WHO Representative to India, Dr S J Habayeb; Director Department of Communicable Diseases at WHO South-East Asia Regional Office, Dr Jai Narain; and the National Professional Officer Communicable Disease Section, WHO Country Office for India,

Dr Sampath Krishnan, addressed the meeting and answered queries.

Along with the briefings and deliberations, documents with basic information on H1N1, situation update; and Frequently Asked Questions were also provided.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do’s and Don’ts

Presentations

Global Situation Update Influenza A(H1N1), May 26

Pandemic Preparedness Influenza A(H1N1)-India

SOURCE

H1N1 FAQs

2009-08-10T17:23:00.000-07:00

The spread of swine flu is fast emerging as No 1 health care urgency not just in the country but the world over as it slowly turns pandemic. It has also been said these few cases are only tip of iceberg and in coming days India could see rise in flu to 33% of Indians if precautionary measure are not taken and govt. doesn't show more responsibility. Despite the issue being in the media for a long time, there continue to be lack of knowledge and mis-information about the disease and how to handle it. Indian Medical Association, Nagpur Centre, has come up with a selective information on the subject.

Pune In Grip Of Swine Flu

What is H1N1 (swine) flu?
The first identification of an influenza virus as a cause of disease in pigs occurred in 1930. H1N1 (referred to as "swine flu" early on) was related to this virus causing sickness in people. This virus was discovered in people in the US in April 2009 (the first ever incident in Humans). Other countries, including Mexico and Canada, have also reported people sick with this new virus. This virus is spreading from person-to-person, likely in much the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread.

In late March and early April 2009, cases of human infection with swine influenza A (H1N1) viruses were first reported in Southern California and near San Antonio, Texas.

SOURCE

FAQs

A list of useful FAQs from the Ministry of Health can be found here. More FAQs are also listed here.

Q: The World Health Organisation has called Influenza A (H1N1) a "pandemic". That means it's a serious disease, right?

A: Actually, no. Pandemic refers to the spread of an illness, not its severity. The WHO has described the Influenza A (H1N1) virus as a possible pandemic because the illness has spread beyond Mexico to other countries in North America, Europe and now, Asia. The current phase 5 of WHO's flu alerts is one short of a full-blown pandemic. At phase 6, the disease has spread globally. Pandemics can be mild or severe. In 1968, the Hong Kong Flu spread to Vietnam, Australia, and India, among other countries, but killed only 0.1 per cent of those diagnosed with the virus.

Q: Now, 176 deaths related to Influenza A (H1N1) have been reported in Mexico. One child has died in the United States. Exactly how serious is this disease?

A: Influenza A (H1N1)'s "case-fatality rate", or how likely the virus will kill someone who is infected, is still unknown. The reason is this new vius, like all flu viruses, is always changing. Most of the time, the virus' new mutations are harmless versions of itself. But given enough opportunities to change - and this will happen as more humans pass it on - the virus may become more infectious and lethal. For now, scientists say the virus' case-fatality rate depends on the specific viral strain that strikes a particular community. Only then can they determine - from that specific mutation - how likely it will kill an infected person.

Q: There are thermal scanners at airports that will capture incoming travellers with fevers. So, we're safe, right?

A: Unfortunately, no. Scientists have said that up to one-third of those infected with Influenza A (H1N1) do not show any flu-like symptoms. For those who do, the virus is contagious one day before any symptoms - fevers, body aches, sore throats - surface. In other words, checks at our borders are not foolproof. Also, the incubation period of flu viruses can be as long as seven days. This means that travellers carrying the virus may develop symptoms only seven days after they cross our borders.

Q: There's no vaccine for Influenza A (H1N1), but what about getting the normal flu jab? Will that help?

A: Getting a flu vaccine is unlikely to protect you against the Influenza A (H1N1). But it can protect you against the seasonal flu, which kills about 600 people here each year. Right about now, Singapore is nearing its mid-year flu peak. Groups at risk for more serious health complications resulting from flu, including those aged 65 and older; children six months to five years; and people with chronic illnesses, such as asthma, diabetes or kidney failure, should consider being vaccinated. Health-care workers and caregivers might cosider vaccination, too, to protect those they care for. Vaccination also helps doctors cut down on "background noise", or the need to test for seasonal flu. That will reduce the number of patients who need medical attention, freeing up doctors to treat those potentially infected by the H1N1 virus.

Source: The Straits Times, 3 May 2009

Q: That N95 mask I have from the Sars days – will I be protected from the flu if I wear that?

A: Surgical masks are good for one thing: To stop the spread of “droplets” from the person wearing the mask. In other words, those wearing a surgical mask are less likely to pass on diseases through talking or sneezing. A respirator mask like the N95 mask is designed to protect you from breathing in tiny particles that might contain viruses. But to work effectively, it must be specially fitted for each individual. Taking a mask on and off contaminates it and makes it less useful. Experts say
doing so will render the mask effective for only 30 minutes. Otherwise, masks have to be replaced
every two to three days. If used correctly, masks may reduce your risk of contracting flu, especially in
combination with other precautions such as maintaining good hygiene. The World Health Organisation advises the wearing of a mask if you are ill or caring for someone who is sick. Otherwise, you do not have to do so.

Q: I have just arrived in Singapore from Mexico and been served a home quarantine order. What does this mean?

A: In case you have been infected by the new Influenza A (H1N1) strain while in Mexico, you are being quarantined for seven days to avoid infecting others. If you have a residence in Singapore, you will be quarantined there. If you are a traveller here, you will be quarantined in a chalet or another premise provided by the Government. You cannot leave your home or your premise of quarantine, and you should not receive visitors. Practise good personal hygiene, and cover your mouth and nose with tissue paper if you cough or sneeze. You and your household members should check your temperature twice daily and look out for other symptoms. Government officers will call you regularly to check on your condition, and you should inform them once you develop a fever or flu-like symptoms. Your family members or others in your household can continue with their usual activities, but if they fall ill, they should also stay home and you should inform the officers immediately too. Anyone who breaks the home quarantine order can be fined up to $10,000 and/or jailed for up to six
months. A repeat offender can be fined up to $20,000 and/or jailed up to for 12 months.

Source: The Straits Times, 4 May 2009

Q: Where am I likely to pick up germs?

A: Germs are everywhere so it’s impossible to avoid them completely. Common crowded areas tend to be conducive to the transmission of germs and infections like the flu. The loop-holds in buses and MRT trains, the handrails of escalators, lift buttons and taps in the washroom are all ‘high-traffic’ common objects which are used by many people every day. These areas could have germs left by a previous user. Sharing food with others like dipping into a communal bag of chips or sharing a drink with a friend can also contribute to the transmission of germs and infections. The jury’s out on how long germs can last on a surface, but studies have shown that the influenza virus can survive on environmental surfaces and can infect a person for up to two to eight hours after being deposited. Experts believe germs can last longer on hard surfaces like wood and metal than on material and skin. Good personal hygiene can help protect you from getting germs or infections. It is important to wash your hands properly with soap and dry them completely, or disinfect them using an alcohol hand rub. It is also important not to touch your face – eyes, nose, mouth – before you have washed your hands.

SOURCE

death toll mounts

2009-08-10T15:29:00.000-07:00

7th H1N1 death in India; Pune man dies

NDTV Correspondent, Monday August 10, 2009, Pune

A 35-year-old man in Pune died of swine flu on Monday, raising the H1N1 toll in the country to seven.

Sanjay Tilekar, a chemist, was admitted with heart problem and fever on August 6. He also suffered from respiratory tract infection.

In all there have been seven deaths so far - four in Pune and one each in Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Chennai.

In the sixth case of swine flu death, a four-year-old child died in Chennai. The child was in hospital since last week. He was admitted to the hospital with diarrhoea, which in two days became multi organ failure. The brother of the boy has also tested positive for swine flu.

Prior to that, an Ayurvedic doctor died in Pune due to the H1N1 virus. He also suffered from respiratory problem.

The first victim of the H1 N1 virus was 14-year-old Reeda Sheikh from Pune. Reeda's family claims that it was a clear case of misdiagnosis. The young girl was not only treated too late but treated for the wrong illness.

India's second swine flu victim was 53-year-old Fahmida Panwala from Mumbai. Fahmida came to the Kasturba hospital in Mumbai with a highly complicated case of diabetes and hypertension and died of acute respiratory distress.

Belo

SOURCE

H1N1 INDIA

H1N1 back

H1N1 is back, claims 7 lives

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H1N1 cases in the country had dropped

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debeshbanerjee

licence to KILL

India’s drivers: licensed to kill

Arvind Kala

H1N1 most recent UPDATES u will find here

1N1 Influenza - Situation Updates

8/19/2009

India. Update on H1N1 as on 19 August 2009 20:0 IST (PIB Press Release, edited)

latest News on the FLU in India

news FLASH

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Mah Govt wake up now

global death toll

H1N1 India Wiki

making money on the FLU

Booming business in the time of swine flu

every third Indian will be infected

One-third of Indian Population to be infected with Swine Flu

No means to completely stop it

Govt of INDIA notification

WHO says

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FAQs

death toll mounts