08/02/2013
Flu Alert In Kashmir
=>Authorities in Kashmir issued a
Swineflu alert as doctors saidthe
H1N1 virus was present in some
parts of the local community. “In
2008-2009, we had 53 cases of
H1N1 virus which tested positive
for the disease. This was because of
people carrying the virus coming
from outside or those locals who
brought it here after visiting
places,” G.M. Qadri, an
epidemiologist, is reported to have
said. “The virus is in parts of our
community and wemust take
adequate precautions to deal with
it,” he added. Qadri said the
commonsymptoms of the disease
are high grade fever ranging around
104 degrees Fahrenheit, running
nose, sore throat and cough.
“We treat the infected people with
Tamiflu drug and the infection is
treatable. But, prevention is always
better,” he said adding “People must
wash their hands often, avoid
congested places, patients with
proven H1N1 infection must not
cough or sneeze directly. They must
use a tissue paper while they cough
or sneeze. Infected people
shouldnot attend social functions”.
The doctor further advised
“Familymembers of the infected
people must be constantly watched
for H1N1 virus by carrying out
tests on them.”
Last week, an employee of the super
specialty Sher-e-Kashmir- Institute
of Medical Sciences Soura (SKIMS)
died of H1N1 infection while
doctorsthere said they had
successfully treated four others
during the last five months.
Ever since the 2009 swine flu
pandemic, the disease has become a
seasonal one in India akin to dengue
or malaria. Whenever, the
temperature dips various states are
affected by the virus. Last year,
swine flu affected various states
throughout the country including
Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan,
Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh and
Andhra Pradesh.
Simply covering your mouth while
sneezing or coughing and/or
wearing a mask isn’t enough to
protect yourself from the virus.The
H1N1 virus is surprisingly resilient
and can survive on door k***s,
table tops and other contact
surfaces for a long time...arif
