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http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...-avoid-crowds-experts/articleshow/6267492.cms
With H1N1 in the air, avoid crowds: experts
Umesh Isalkar, TNN, Aug 7, 2010, 04.52am IST
PUNE: Every day, two to three lives are lost to the Influenza A H1N1 and fresh cases are being reported mostly because basic precautions to keep the infection at bay are not being followed, say experts.
Be it wearing masks, avoiding crowds, washing hands or taking the vaccination, experts are unanimous in their stand that people in the city have thrown all caution to the winds.
The National Institute of Virology (NIV) has advised citizens to be alert and take all precautionary measures since the infection rate of the H1N1 influenza has gone up to 40 per cent during the second wave of the pandemic virus. The district administration and the state health department have categorically asked people to avoid crowded places, in view of H1N1's highly contagious nature. But, sadly, no one seems to be listening.
"People have let their guards down. Wherever you look, be it malls or multiplexes, no one seems to be adhering to basic precautions. Hardly do you ever see people wearing masks," said Sharad Agarkhedkar, president of the city chapter of Indian Medical Association (IMA).
NIV director A C Mishra agreed with Agarkhedkar. "This is true. People have become extremely lackadaisical. In view of the rising infection rate of H1N1, people need to be extra careful, but sadly there are hardly any visible signs of concern about catching the infection."
"The current weather conditions are conducive to the spread of the virus and susceptibility to it. If people continue to be heedless, as is evident by the non-usage of masks, we will probably see more positive cases in the coming days," said D S Dakhure, director of the state health services.
Arun Jamkar, dean of the Sassoon hospital and the B J Medical College, is evidently worried as he expressed concern about the decreased vigilance among people. "No one is using masks. The flu is very much here, but citizens are failing to understand the gravity of the situation. One cannot afford to be negligent, especially those suffering from underlying medical conditions like hypertension, diabetes, etc."
"Delayed detection of the flu and late administering of Tamiflu continues to cause deaths. The only difference being, that such casualties are more from the rural than the urban areas," said Jamkar.
Since April this year, around 97 people have died due to H1N1 and 971 people have tested positive. "Till now, the media has played an important role in spreading awareness about swine flu. Initially, everybody thought the infection and its impact was being hyped. Later, all of us realised that media reports had made people take the infection seriously and understand the enormity of its contagious nature," said Dilip Sarda, former president of IMA.
Sarda said that with the new academic session getting underway, there has been a spurt in the number of positive cases being recorded. "Educational institutions are once more in the grip of the infection. As a result, closing down of schools is being discussed again."
"People are frequenting public places, like malls, multiplexes, etc, with abandonment. There is complete disregard for protective measures. People should at least wear disposable surgical masks, to be thrown after one use. Since no one is adhering to the advisory, the number of people testing positive as well as the number of suspected cases have increased since this June," said Agarkhedkar.
Although people cannot be stopped from stepping out, the very least they could do is avoid crowded places, said Avinash Bhondwe, former president of the city unit of IMA. "Good hygienic practises, like covering the mouth when sneezing and constantly washing hands will also help."
Microbiologist Siddharth Dalvi said that even if one undetected swine flu-infected person at a crowded place can spread the infection to many. "Such a situation is very dangerous for the high-risk population, like pregnant women, people with underlying diseases and senior citizens."
The district administration has been reiterating that practising social distancing measures will slow down the spread of the virus. It has said in no lesser terms avoid crowds. And that being part of large gatherings will only help the virus spread.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has already said that the H1N1 has become a dominant flu strain in almost all parts of the world. WHO director general Margaret Chan recently said, "Swine flu spreads four times faster than other viruses and 40 per cent of the fatalities are young adults in good health.
Speaking about herd immunity, Jamkar said, "This is built when 70 to 80 per cent of population has some immunity natural and vaccine induced against the virus. As per NIV's previous estimates based on the serological survey, around 25 to 30 per cent of the city's population has developed a natural immunity due to exposure to the H1N1 virus. If another 40 to 50 per cent population get themselves vaccinated, we will be able to build herd immunity. Therefore, individual vaccination, in addition to protecting oneself, will also help protect others from getting the infection," said Jamkar.
With H1N1 in the air, avoid crowds: experts
Umesh Isalkar, TNN, Aug 7, 2010, 04.52am IST
PUNE: Every day, two to three lives are lost to the Influenza A H1N1 and fresh cases are being reported mostly because basic precautions to keep the infection at bay are not being followed, say experts.
Be it wearing masks, avoiding crowds, washing hands or taking the vaccination, experts are unanimous in their stand that people in the city have thrown all caution to the winds.
The National Institute of Virology (NIV) has advised citizens to be alert and take all precautionary measures since the infection rate of the H1N1 influenza has gone up to 40 per cent during the second wave of the pandemic virus. The district administration and the state health department have categorically asked people to avoid crowded places, in view of H1N1's highly contagious nature. But, sadly, no one seems to be listening.
"People have let their guards down. Wherever you look, be it malls or multiplexes, no one seems to be adhering to basic precautions. Hardly do you ever see people wearing masks," said Sharad Agarkhedkar, president of the city chapter of Indian Medical Association (IMA).
NIV director A C Mishra agreed with Agarkhedkar. "This is true. People have become extremely lackadaisical. In view of the rising infection rate of H1N1, people need to be extra careful, but sadly there are hardly any visible signs of concern about catching the infection."
"The current weather conditions are conducive to the spread of the virus and susceptibility to it. If people continue to be heedless, as is evident by the non-usage of masks, we will probably see more positive cases in the coming days," said D S Dakhure, director of the state health services.
Arun Jamkar, dean of the Sassoon hospital and the B J Medical College, is evidently worried as he expressed concern about the decreased vigilance among people. "No one is using masks. The flu is very much here, but citizens are failing to understand the gravity of the situation. One cannot afford to be negligent, especially those suffering from underlying medical conditions like hypertension, diabetes, etc."
"Delayed detection of the flu and late administering of Tamiflu continues to cause deaths. The only difference being, that such casualties are more from the rural than the urban areas," said Jamkar.
Since April this year, around 97 people have died due to H1N1 and 971 people have tested positive. "Till now, the media has played an important role in spreading awareness about swine flu. Initially, everybody thought the infection and its impact was being hyped. Later, all of us realised that media reports had made people take the infection seriously and understand the enormity of its contagious nature," said Dilip Sarda, former president of IMA.
Sarda said that with the new academic session getting underway, there has been a spurt in the number of positive cases being recorded. "Educational institutions are once more in the grip of the infection. As a result, closing down of schools is being discussed again."
"People are frequenting public places, like malls, multiplexes, etc, with abandonment. There is complete disregard for protective measures. People should at least wear disposable surgical masks, to be thrown after one use. Since no one is adhering to the advisory, the number of people testing positive as well as the number of suspected cases have increased since this June," said Agarkhedkar.
Although people cannot be stopped from stepping out, the very least they could do is avoid crowded places, said Avinash Bhondwe, former president of the city unit of IMA. "Good hygienic practises, like covering the mouth when sneezing and constantly washing hands will also help."
Microbiologist Siddharth Dalvi said that even if one undetected swine flu-infected person at a crowded place can spread the infection to many. "Such a situation is very dangerous for the high-risk population, like pregnant women, people with underlying diseases and senior citizens."
The district administration has been reiterating that practising social distancing measures will slow down the spread of the virus. It has said in no lesser terms avoid crowds. And that being part of large gatherings will only help the virus spread.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has already said that the H1N1 has become a dominant flu strain in almost all parts of the world. WHO director general Margaret Chan recently said, "Swine flu spreads four times faster than other viruses and 40 per cent of the fatalities are young adults in good health.
Speaking about herd immunity, Jamkar said, "This is built when 70 to 80 per cent of population has some immunity natural and vaccine induced against the virus. As per NIV's previous estimates based on the serological survey, around 25 to 30 per cent of the city's population has developed a natural immunity due to exposure to the H1N1 virus. If another 40 to 50 per cent population get themselves vaccinated, we will be able to build herd immunity. Therefore, individual vaccination, in addition to protecting oneself, will also help protect others from getting the infection," said Jamkar.
