Awareness needed to avoid swine flu outbreak

Rawalpindi

There has been an increase in number of cases of pandemic influenza H1N1, Swine Flu and deaths from it in various parts of Punjab and the federal capital since the advent of winter.

It is important that during 2014, swine flu outbreak was witnessed in Multan, Khanewal, Taunsa, and Dera Ghazi Khan districts of Southern Punjab from where more than 10 cases of swine flu were reported resulting in five mortalities.

The outbreak of swine flu is also going on in India since 2013. In Oct 2013, there were over 13,000 cases of swine flu reported with 444 deaths. The H1N1 virus of swine flu had swallowed the lives of more than 1,000 people in India during 2014, while more than 20,000 people were affected by this virus. In 2015, as many as 1,731 deaths out of 30,000 documented cases had been reported in India.

Swine flu has been declared as pandemic and internationally health authorities have conveyed that the influenza H1N1 pandemic virus would take on the behaviour of seasonal influenza virus and continue to circulate for some years to come. Hence, in the post-pandemic period, localized outbreaks of varying magnitude with significant level of H1N1 transmission are expected, said Professor of Community Medicine at CMH Lahore Medical College Dr. Muhammad Ashraf Chaudhry while talking to 'The News' on Saturday.

He added a large number of cases may present a mild influenza-like illness and as such requires no testing or anti-viral drug treatment. However, it is important to get oneself examined at the nearest hospital in the initial part of illness to detect moderate illness and other associated risk factors that require hospitalization, he said.

He said in April 2009, a new strain of influenza virus, A/H1N1, commonly referred to as "swine flu" began to spread in several countries around the world. "On August 10, 2009, the ministry of health of Pakistan confirmed the country's first swine flu case."

Initially, swine flu originated in pig and spread out among the humans via coughing, sneezing, or having contact with the body fluid of the affected human. In Muslim country like Pakistan there is no such source of virus, but the only source is, the migrant people from abroad. Swine flu can be transferred to people belonging to all ages but children below five years of age and persons above 65 are at high risk of swine flu. Its transmission is very rapid from humans to humans. The incubation period of virus is one to four days, explained Dr. Ashraf.

He said we are lacking medical, technical and diagnostic facilities in developing country like Pakistan and reporting of even a few cases in this situation is really alarming and needs attention.

Studies reveal that the signs and symptoms of swine flu in humans are same as in seasonal influenza. The patient may suffer from fever, cough, sore throat, headache, muscle and joint pains, nasal congestion, body aches, chills and fatigue. However, 25 per cent symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting are reported in this infection. The patients who are considered to be at high risk include young children, the elderly above 65 years, pregnant women, chronic issues of asthma, smokers, heart patients and who are immuno suppressed. It is also observed that affected person could be contagious for up to 10 days.

Dr. Ashraf said antiviral drugs can only be used to cure this disease. They are effective against the disease and improve the condition of patient. "Tami-flu" is an antiviral drug which is available for swine flu in Pakistan. Besides, supportive therapy should be applied for fever, dehydration and pain, if these conditions exist. Antibiotics can only be used if there is any secondary infection. Do not take medicines without consulting a qualified physician, he said.

He added that there is a dire need to create awareness about it and take preventive measures since the disease has now become a global threat. The best way to contain the virus is to lay stress on the individual measures that include personal hygiene. Personal hygiene must include frequent hand washing as well as properly covering one's mouth and nose while sneezing and coughing. Stay more than one arm's length distance from persons sick with flu and avoid crowded places like cinemas. Get nutritious food and drink plenty of water, sleep and rest. Do not shake hands or hug infected people and do not spit in public, he said.

To avoid outbreak of the disease, Dr. Ashraf said the person who has got the infection should stay at home because he or she can transmit it to others within duration of 24 hours. "Stay away from crowd as much as possible, particularly if you are less than five years old or more than 65 years old."

He added the concerned government authorities must play its role to aware people and to facilitate doctors with training and technologies. Tami flu tablets must also be available in all government hospitals free of cost, he said.  He added the best way to prevent swine flu is vaccination; especially high risk people should get a flu shot. Isolated wards for patients of swine flu must be established in all hospitals and media should play its role in creating awareness among public about the disease, said Dr. Ashraf.