World Of Tourism

New Delhi: Sixteen swine flu deaths were reported over the last one week from certain states even as India today got its first indigenously made nasal vaccine against the virus.

Swine flu deaths continued their upward surge since the onset of monsoons, with 16 fatalities reported from June 28 to July 4. The maximum number of 10 deaths were reported from Kerala, health ministry officials said here today.

Four deaths were reported from Maharashtra and two from Andhra Pradesh and the 370 cases reported during the week were indigenous ones.

Till date, samples from 1,44,633 people have been tested for H1N1 flu in government laboratories and a few private laboratories across the country and 33,453 (23.1%) of them have been found positive.

Meanwhile, in a major boost to treat the deadly H1N1 flu, the country's first intra-nasal vaccine 'Nasovac' manufactured by Serum Institute of India today hit the shelves.

The vaccine has been tested to be safe for children and it can be administered on anyone over the age of three without any adverse consequences, the officials said.

Nasovac, meant for Type A (H1N1) pandemic strain, is a nasal spray in powder form, which has to be reconstituted by adding the supplied water. Its one 0.5ml dose will cost Rs 200.

The country got its injectable vaccine last month for swine flu, which has so far claimed 1,601 persons in India.

Source:dnaindia.com

The underlying fears about the global pandemic H1N1 that had created a stir last summer seem to be turning into a grim reality once again. Swine flu is back with a vengeance, bringing panic in its wake.

Detection of fresh cases with every passing day is a troubling reminder that the strain is ramping up very quickly, infecting, sickening and even killing at-risk people.

A middle-aged man fell prey to the lethal virus Friday, taking the death toll in Mumbai to 10 in just two months.

This was the first fatality in the city in July. In addition, Mumbai had witnessed two casualties in May, while seven lives were lost because of the virus last month.

Meanwhile, 14 more have tested positive for swine flu, taking the number of cases in Mumbai to 137 since the onset of monsoon. Among the fresh cases, five are children and one is a pregnant woman.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is reassuring the public that despite the surging number of infections, there was no need for panic as the situation was under control.

Nevertheless, they are reinforcing the need to follow the swine flu guidelines that were issued by the health authorities.

The first fatality in July
The latest victim was a 51-year-old man residing in Santacruz. He was admitted to a private hospital and was undergoing treatment since June 25 following complaints of fever, cough and cold, all symptoms of H1N1.

The man was suffering from hypertension, and despite completing a five-day Tamiflu course, his condition worsened and he succumbed to the disease.

Head of BMC's epidemiology cell, Dr Daksha Shah, stated, "We have learnt that the patient was given Tamiflu in time but there was a delay of at least two days in hospitalising him.”

Different types of fever in Mumbai
To add to the existing health woes, numerous rain-related illnesses have made an appearance due to high levels of humidity, stagnant water, and pollution, which is commonplace in the monsoons.

The metropolis reported 102 cases of malaria, 117 cases of gastroenteritis, two cases of dengue, about 200 cases of fever, and one case of lepto on Saturday.

Stringent measures undertaken
In an effort to combat the diseases, the BMC has started taking preventive measures for further breakouts. It has initiated a vector-control programme in the city’s old, congested, and damp mill areas.

Awareness programs have begun, and the civic authorities have stepped up measures for mosquito control, garbage removal and undertaken hygiene campaigns.

Intensive measures to contain the spread of infections are continuing in various areas.

In addition, the BMC has hired health workers to spread awareness in colonies.


Source:themedguru.com

Four people died of swine flu in Andhra Pradesh while 23 were found infected by H1N1 virus this year, officials said Saturday.

Three deaths and a majority of the cases were reported during last 10 days. The monsoon is believed to be the main cause for the virus becoming virulent.

Officials have advised people not to use preventive medicines without advice from the doctors.

'People should take the medicines only under the supervision of doctors,' said P.V. Ramesh, principal secretary, health and family welfare.

The authorities have urged people to contact the 104 Mobile health service and call toll free number 1056 to clear their doubts about swine flu and seek any assistance.

The health department said arrangements had been made for treatment of swine flu in 17 district hospitals, 11 teaching hospitals and 28 private hospitals across the state.

As many as 54 people died of swine flu in the state last year. Nearly 800 cases were reported.

The first swine flu case in India was detected at Hyderabad airport May 16 last year.

Source:- www.sify.com

Twenty-seven years old Naziya adman from Alibaug succumbs to swine influenza-related complication at Sion Hospital on Friday. This is the first swine flu death have been reported in Mumbai since November last year and is a worrying reminder that the H1N1 virus is still circulate.

"She was eight months pregnant, so she was more susceptible. She was bring to Mumbai in a critical state, said Dr GT Ambe, BMC decision-making officer health.

On an average, H1N1 continue to kill one person a day in Maharashtra, mainly in Pune and adjacent districts.

In May, 20 people died of swine flu, while in April the 30 deaths reported, and in March it was 47

Death adman who was eight months pregnant, took the Maharashtra's H1N1 death toll to 465 since the first virus hit the kingdom in May 2009.

She was transport from a private hospital in Alibaug to civic run Sion Hospital on Thursday."We put her on a ventilator and began action immediately, but she died within 24 hours," said Dr. Sandhya Kamath, dean of Sion Hospital. The child did not survive.

"High humidity, the crowds and various other ecological factors add to the spread of infectious diseases, particularly H1N1," said Dr. About Srivastava, an infectious disease specialist with Kasturba Hospital.

Viruses more often than not slow down or stop the spread this summer, but experts are not surprised that the H1N1 cases and deaths were still reported in Maharashtra.

Of the 32 deaths so far in Mumbai sanatorium had 16 of Mumbaiites and the rest were from nearby areas.

"H1N1 behaves like typical respiratory viruses. The activity of the virus increases in post-monsoon and winter period, but they remain in movement over the years," said Dr. Abhay Choudhary, Director of Haffkine Institute, Parel.

Some experts have predicted a renaissance of swine flu after the monsoon, but others say that we should take all prediction with a grain of salt.