Deadly swine flu is no more a seasonal illness and mutation of the virus has made it active in summer season for the first time, causing unusual spike in cases across India, Doctors Association Kashmir warned on Sunday.
Asking the healthcare authorities in Kashmir valley to ‘prepare for contingencies’, the Association said, “It is for the first time that the virus has become active in sweltering heat unlike earlier years when swine flu used to strike mainly in winter months.”
Media reports say India recorded over 1,000 deaths due to swine flu this year and over 20,000 cases were reported.Various states including Maharashtra, Gujarat, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Delhi have been badly hit.
President of the Association, Dr Nisar-ul-Hassan, said researchers at National Institute of Virology, Pune, have found that swine flu virus has mutated and a new strain of virus—called the Michigan strain—has been identified. It has replaced earlier California strain which was circulating since 2009 pandemic, he said.
He said the mutation has made swine flu a ‘year-round malady’.
“The changed virus is more virulent and majority of deaths have been of healthy individuals,” Dr Nisar said. “Swine flu is knocking on our door.”
He said there is a need to intensify surveillance activities and prepare hospitals to prevent an outbreak. “Persons with acute respiratory febrile illness should report to doctors or a nearby medical facility and suspected cases should be tested and immediately isolated,” he said.
“Hand washing and respiratory etiquettes are two key ways to prevent spread of the disease,” he said. “Doctors should start antivirals within two days of illness to prevent serious complications and deaths.”
“WHO (World Health Organization) has recommended a new H1N1 vaccine strain – A/Michigan/45/2015 – to replace A/California/7/2009, which has been in use as a vaccine strain since 2009 pandemic,” Dr Nisar said.
