The spread of swine flu or H1N1 virus infection has increased rapidly in eight states of the country. The situation is serious in Delhi, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. These states have reported the highest number of cases this year. In January this year, more than 500 people have been affected by swine flu infection, out of which six people died during treatment. This information has come to light in the report of the Central Government's New Delhi-based National Center for Disease Control (NCDC). In the report, an appeal has been made to increase surveillance regarding swine flu in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala, Maharashtra, Jammu and Kashmir, Gujarat, Karnataka, and Delhi.
H1N1 is a type of influenza virus, which is also called swine flu. This virus used to affect only pigs earlier, but now it is infecting humans as well. The symptoms of this infection are fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, cough, sore throat, vomiting and diarrhea. Most people delay treatment thinking it to be a common cold. It affects the upper and middle respiratory systems. Like Corona, it also can infect from one person to another. In a report submitted to the Union Health Ministry, NCDC said that in 2024, 20,414 people were affected by this infection, out of which 347 died. Earlier in 2019, the highest number of 28,798 cases were registered in which 1,218 people died. In January this year, 516 new cases have been detected from 16 states, out of which six patients have died. The report also states that the highest number of infection cases have been identified in more than five districts of eight states.
The central government formed a new task force.
Dr. Rajiv Bahl, Director General of the New Delhi-based Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), said that the Central Government has formed a new task force to give immediate response to any outbreak like Corona or Swine Flu. It includes top officials from different ministries including the Ministry of Health, NCDC, ICMR, Delhi AIIMS, PGI Chandigarh, NIMHANS Bangalore, Department of Science and Biotechnology. Recently, the outbreak in Pune and Jammu and Kashmir was carried out under the supervision of this task force. He said that this is a task force for the preparation of future epidemics, which will take immediate action on receiving information about any suspected outbreak in any part of the country. He also said that now the behavior of the H1N1 virus has changed compared to earlier. However, people who fall in the high-risk category should not consider it a common cold.
Infection found for the first time in India in 2009
A senior official of the Union Health Ministry said that swine flu was found for the first time in India in the year 2009. From 2009 to 2018, the mortality rate of this infection in India has been very high. However, the infection management methods learned from the Corona epidemic have helped a lot in reducing the mortality rate at the ground level. The first confirmed case of swine flu in India was reported in May 2009, but a large number of cases have been reported after that. In 2021, 778 cases of H1N1 were reported in India, with 12 deaths. Similarly, in the year 2022, there were 13,202 cases and 410 deaths. At the same time, there were 8,125 cases and 129 deaths in 2023.
Monitoring zoonotic diseases: Health Ministry
The Ministry of Health has informed that the central government is keeping a close watch on zoonotic diseases across India. Zoonosis is an infectious disease that can spread between animals and humans, including rabies, anthrax, influenza (H1N1 and H5N1), Nipah, COVID-19, brucellosis, and tuberculosis. These diseases are caused by various pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi. The ministry says that prevention and control of zoonotic diseases are being done through vaccination, good hygiene animal husbandry practices, and vector control.
Know about swine flu infection.
Swine flu is mainly caused by the H1N1 strain of the flu (influenza) virus. H1N1 is the influenza A virus. In case of infection with it, symptoms similar to influenza are seen. It causes upper-lower respiratory tract infection. Swine flu is more contagious than normal flu, its infection symptoms can range from mild to severe. There may be a risk of infection if one lives in or travels to areas affected by H1N1. All people need to keep paying serious attention to its symptoms.
According to experts, most of the symptoms of both swine flu and influenza infections can be similar. The infected may have problems like fever, chills, cough, sore throat, runny nose, body ache, fatigue, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Generally, such symptoms resolve on their own. However, some people may have severe symptoms, which require prompt medical help.
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