Mysterious H1N1 virus kills more lives; Virus Att also attacks doctors

From Nadeem Shah

MULTAN: The fatal and mysterious Seasonal Influenza H1N1 virus has claimed more deaths in Multan and the toll reached to 15 in the last 21 days after a fresh death received here, creating more panic after the virus-attacked doctors involved in the treatment of influenza suspects on Friday, health officials said. Twelve suspects died at Nishtar Hospital belonged to Multan and the rest of three from Muzaffargarh district since December 15, they said.

However, all doctors serving to save lives of influenza suspects, efficiently treating all suspects despite spread of virus attack on doctors, Nishtar hospital officials said.

The H1N1 killer virus has attacked three doctors including Dr Waqas, Dr Hina and Dr Ambrin while they were serving to save the lives of suspects. The lab reports of three doctors have received positive career of H1N1, health officials confirmed.

This situation has created panic at Nishtar hospital and United Doctors’ Front has repeated the demand of risk allowance from the Punjab government.

The Multan district has been prime victim where 47 suspects received followed by Muzaffargarh with 9 suspects, Khanewal 7 and Dera Ghazi Khan 5 suspects.

Doctors of medicines told this scribe that a laboratory is lacked in Multan trace out isolate causes of H1N1 spread and the work was continuing without any research. They said that there is no research on assessing the isolate causes of H1N1 and all of them treating suspects with techniques of simple influenza.

The doctors have complained that Multan Nishtar hospital has diverted all funds on H1N1 treatment, which has shorted lives savings drugs in rest of wards. They said that mismanagement was at the rise in present situation of urgency.

United Doctors Front senior representative Dr Sheikh Abdul Khaliq said that majority of doctors and healthcare staff was waiting for vaccination. He demanded the Punjab government allocation of risk allowance for doctors after three doctors serving influenza suspects and their treatment. He said doctors were serving with the passion of humanity but the government should protect their financial rights. He said H1N1 is not a swine flu but it needs more research to identify exact causes of virus spread.

While explaining the symptoms of H1N1 virus Dr Sheikh Abdul Khaliq said that H1N1 flu signs and symptoms in humans are similar to those of other flu strains like fever (but not always), cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, watery, red eyes, body aches, headache, fatigue, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. H1N1 flu symptoms develop about one to three days after you're exposed to the virus.

Senior physician and UDF spokesperson Dr Imran Rafiq said that influenza complications are include worsening of chronic conditions, such as heart disease and asthma, Pneumonia, Neurological signs and symptoms, ranging from confusion to seizures and respiratory failure.

UDF vice president DR Zulqarnain Haider demanded treatment of victim doctors on priority basis.

Talking to this scribe H1N1 focal person Dr Attaur Rehman said that 82 suspects admitted with ten hospitals in southern Punjab districts in Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Khanewal, Muzaffargarh, Vehari, Toba Tek Singh, Lodhran, Rajanpur and Rahim Yar Khan since December 15 to January 4. The Multan district received highest numbers of influenza suspects, he said

While elaborating preventive measures Dr Attaur Rehman said that stay home if you are carrying H1N1 virus for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone.

Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently and use soap and water. Contain your coughs and sneezes. Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough. To avoid contaminating your hands, cough or sneeze into a tissue or the inner crook of your elbow. Stay away from crowds if possible. In addition, if you're at high risk of complications from the flu — for example, you're younger than 5 or you're 65 or older, you're pregnant, or you have a chronic medical condition such as asthma — consider avoiding swine barns at seasonal fairs and elsewhere.