Sidhima Choudhary, Pune
The H1N1 virus commonly called Swine Flu has come into a surge with over 150 deaths recorded across India till the end of June. Pune records 18 deaths this July with nearly 60 hospital admissions. The Health Ministry of Pune warned of the possible outbreak with very little notice over the situation, claimed Health experts.
Around 7000 cases of the seasonal flu have been recorded in India as of now. According to the National Centre for Disease Control, nearly 150 people have died due to the flu. Three states top the list with the highest registration of cases till the end of June, Punjab (41), Gujarat (27), and Haryana (26).
Pune, already battling with Zika Virus and Dengue, is struggling to fight one more highly contagious human respiratory infection. R B Sule, Head of the state health department Epidemiology division, claimed and confirmed the Swine flu was recorded in a big way in the city and the state. The experts said, “It is reported to be more dangerous than ever, this time.”
India had reported 129 Swine Flu deaths and 8,125 deaths last year. Whereas, in the year 2022, around 410 deaths and 13,202 cases were reported in the country. Pune had already seen the outbreak of the Flu during the ‘2009 Swine Flu Pandemic.’ The first Swine Flu death was recorded in a 12-year-old girl in Pune.
Subsequently, the health experts claim that the Health Ministry was warned about the potential outbreak situation earlier but was paid no heed to it. In a conversation with Pune Times Mirror and former State Health Director and head of the state task force for infectious disease, Subhash Salunkhe said, “The warning of the high probability outbreak was given to the officials but it all went in vain.
Additionally, Salunkhe added, “It has been more than a decade since the outbreak has become endemic. The virus has undergone a major shift with a prediction of a major resurgence.” He further added that the department is expecting a large change in the number of cases reported by the end of the rainy season, early winter as well as next year as well.