Dr Rafi Ahmed, scientist and director of Atlanta Emory Vaccine Centre said that not only testing for H1N1 (swine flu) is required for the increasing cases of influenza but also H3N2 (a sub-type of influenza).

800 people have died of H1N1this year in India, of which 64 were in Telangana. Dr. Ahmed said that Indian scientists have a strong need to study the strains of the influenza virus and understand them.

Dr Ahmed added that the virus dies out once the weather is warm but that requires time and that is the reason that new cases are still arriving. Meanwhile, once the temperatures drop in July, the virus once again will become active. Therefore preventive care must be inculcated among the population.

People have been advised to cover their mouth while coughing and to wash their hands thoroughly. A large number of young adults between 20 and 40 years succumbing to H1N1is a disturbing trend this year.

Dr Ahmed said that the immune system of the young adults is initially fighting with the primary virus followed by the secondary bacterial infection which is caused due to the virus. Hence the body has too much inflammation leading to lung failure and multi-organ failure which causes death.

The vaccine’s effectiveness with the strains of the virus being different has reduced by 30 to 40 per cent. Although vaccination can help those who are immune-compromised, a behavioural change in the population is also important to be created where basic preventive steps are taken to avoid the spread of the disease. As the new seasonal strains are available, every year the ideal time to take the vaccine is September.

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