Mysuru has seen a spike in the number of people testing positive for the deadly swine flu (H1N1) this year. Out of the 78 suspected blood samples tested in the district from Jan. 1, 2017 to Feb. 20, twenty-seven have tested positive and one death has been reported so far. It may be recalled that the district had reported just five H1N1 positive cases last year.

Speaking to Star of Mysore this morning, District Health Officer (DHO) Dr. B. Basavaraju said that blood samples from various hospitals in the district and the city were being closely monitored and were being sent to National Institute of Mental Health & Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) in Bengaluru.

“In Mysuru, so far, one person has died due to H1N1 and he has been identified as 70-year-old Prabhakar who died at the Apollo Hospital on Feb. 20. One more case was reported that of a pregnant woman. But she died due to complications in dialysis,” he said.

Regarding the 27 suspected cases, he said that all of them are undergoing treatment at various hospitals and were responding well to the treatment. “We have taken all precautionary measures to combat the disease and we will continue to send blood samples for testing,” he added.

DC holds meeting : Deputy Commissioner D. Randeep yesterday convened a meeting with the district health officials and doctors from private hospitals, where he asked them to take measures to arrest the spread of H1N1.

At the meeting, DHO Dr. Basavaraj and District Surveillance Officer Dr. Kusuma briefed the DC about the measures taken and the availability of ventilators.

Randeep said that people were panicking as there is no awareness on the disease and the health department must take steps to clear the misgivings on the disease. “Those suffering from cold and fever must get their blood tested. There is no need for panic as the District Administration was geared up to combat the disease,” he said. Officials informed him that in Mysuru, apart from K.R. Hospital which has 26 ventilators, no other government hospitals have ventilators.

“We are conducting house-to-house surveys to identify people with swine flu symptoms and pamphlets making people aware about the disease are also being distributed,” officials said. Influenza in this season is common, but anyone witnessing mild to high fever for more than three days should visit the doctor and get tested. Early treatment helps in arresting the disease early, they added.

How does H1N1 spread?

Swine flu is caused by a strain of influenza virus that usually only infects pigs. Unlike typhus, which can be transmitted by lice or ticks, transmission usually occurs from person to person, not animal to person. You can’t catch swine flu from eating pork products, but swine flu is very contagious.

Swine influenza spreads from person to person, either by inhaling the virus or by touching surfaces contaminated with the virus, then touching the mouth or nose. Infected droplets are expelled into the air through coughing or sneezing.

Young population is more susceptible to the virus unlike other influenza that has an impact on senior citizens. The best way to avert a fatality is to get medical help on time and if there are influenza-like symptoms for more than three days, one should use masks while going out and maintain proper hygiene to stop it from spreading.