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As soon as the news of a swine flu pandemic broke out in Mexico and the United States in March 2009, the Government of India raised the warning of a possible outbreak and geared itself to combat the dreadful H1N1 virus. Government officials started screening travelers arriving from affected countries at airports to nullify the possibility of a swine flu epidemic in the country.
On 13th May 2009, the first case of swine flu was detected in India at Hyderabad Airport. A man traveling from US was tested positive for H1N1 virus. Quick to follow this incident were reports of more confirmed cases as the flu spread rapidly through transmission. In early August, the first death due to swine flu was reported in the city of Pune. This incident created a wave of panic across the nation.
Unfortunately, even after taking precautionary measures, swine flu swooped over the nation claiming more victims. As on 14th August 2009, the official report stated 1193 conformed cases of swine flu, with 719 people getting discharge and 20 deaths.
Death Toll in India (Till November 9th, 2009) – 502
The Government of India advises citizens not to panic as it continues to battle the deadly swine flu epidemic. Screening at airports has become tighter, every state has special quarantine wards, and State Governments have been given strict instructions to maintain alertness at all times.
India is classified as grade IV and still comes under the containment stage. It indicates that the H1N1 virus is under control and the infections can be traced, screened and treated effectively. The Government also claims that India possesses an adequate stock of Tamiflu to keep a large outbreak in check. The Government has also planned to implement thermal scanners for improved screening at airports for swine flu detection among travelers. Moreover, Indian missions stationed in foreign regions inform people showing symptoms of swine flu to avoid traveling to India.
To prevent the virus from developing resistance against the only available antibiotic against H1N1 (Tamiflu) due to excessive intake, the Government felt is not advisable to sell Tamiflu to public in general medical stores. Researchers and scientists feared that the virus will develop resistance to the only known cure if people start to take Tamiflu pills without proper medical prescription.
Every cloud has a silver lining. Recently, Natco Pharma and Strides Arcolabs launched their generic version of Oseltamivir, Natflu and Starflu. The generic version of Tamiflu (Oseltamivir) will be available to public in the Indian markets. However, the drugs are available to customers under prescription.
Free Helpline
All India toll free helpline: 1075 or 1800-11-4377
Delhi: Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital: 011-24525211, 23404328, 23365525
Delhi: Deen Dayal Hospital: 011-2512 5259
Kolkata: Infectious Diseases Hospital: 09433392182, 09434009077
Chennai: Communicable Diseases Hospital: 044-25912686
Coimbatore: Coimbatore Medical College Hospital: 09442012555
Hyderabad: AP Chest Diseases Hospital: 040-23814939
Mumbai: Kasturba Hospital: 022-23083901, 23083902, 23083903, 23083904
Pune: Dr Naidu Infectious Disease Hospital: 09923130909
Bangalore: Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Diseases: 91-80-26632634
