SUNIL NEGI
New Delhi: Delhi and the National Capital Region are witnessing a sharp surge in H1N1 influenza and other seasonal respiratory illnesses, with the capital reporting 1,777 cases of swine flu so far this year till August 21, against just 229 cases during the corresponding period last year, according to National Centre for Disease Control data, marking a nearly six to seven-fold increase.
The spike, which began with the monsoon and fluctuating temperatures, has seen hospitals reporting a steady stream of patients with high fever, persistent cough, sore throat, muscle pain, extreme weakness, and breathlessness, with some patients showing a drop in oxygen saturation and progressing to viral pneumonia and respiratory distress, doctors said. The positivity is high, with one in three samples being tested returning positive, and children, elderly, pregnant women and people with comorbidities like diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, chronic kidney and lung disease being most vulnerable.
The Centre has stepped in to review preparedness. On Friday, Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda held a high-level review with Delhi Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh to assess surveillance trends of Influenza-Like Illness and Severe Acute Respiratory Infection, laboratory testing capacity and hospital readiness. The review covered availability of beds, oxygen-supported beds, ICU and ventilator facilities, medicines including Oseltamivir, N95 masks and PPE kits, and diagnostic services. Nadda directed officials to maintain close surveillance for early detection, timely testing and clinical management and to keep surge capacity ready for referrals.
The Delhi government said dedicated and separate wards and isolation rooms have been set up at major government hospitals including Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital and Safdarjung Hospital and all government hospitals have been directed to ensure adequate treatment facilities and keep ventilators ready. Health Minister Pankaj Singh said regular testing is being done across the city and patients are receiving treatment, and that there is no need for general panic as everything is under control, while a detailed assessment report of cases and hotspots is being prepared.
Doctors have advised precautionary measures as the virus spreads through cough, sneeze and close contact. These include annual flu vaccination which may not fully prevent infection but reduces severity, wearing masks in crowded places, hand hygiene, maintaining at least one metre distance from infected persons, isolating for 5 to 7 days if symptomatic, ensuring good ventilation at home, staying hydrated, and avoiding self-medication with antibiotics which do not work against influenza unless there is a secondary bacterial infection. Warning signs like breathlessness, chest pain, persistent high fever beyond three to five days, confusion, fall in oxygen level or deterioration after initial improvement need immediate medical attention.
