more-in In the seven-odd weeks this year, as many as 1,020 persons in Tamil Nadu have tested positive for H1N1 (swine flu) and nine have succumbed. In contrast, 2016 saw only 122 cases and two deaths, while in 2015, when the virus peaked, the State recorded a total of 898 cases and 29 deaths, according to the Directorate of Public Health and Preventive Medicine (DPH). So why this increase in cases? “This year, we have told doctors and hospitals to test every patient who comes in with the symptoms of H1N1 — not just those who develop complications. This is one reason for the rise in the number of positive results,” said Director of Public Health, K. Kolandaisamy. While doctors concur that there has been an increase in testing and more awareness among patients, they say that they have seen more H1N1 cases this year than this time last year and are recommending vaccination. At Kanchi Kamakoti Childs Trust Hospital, 33 children were admitted this year. At SIMS Hospital, Vadapalani, there have been one or two cases every day this season. “Every year, the virus undergoes an antigenic drift — a variation. If this drift is minimal, then last year’s immunity can protect you. But if it is bigger, more people are susceptible to it,” said Subramanian Swaminathan, Infectious Diseases Consultant, Global Hospitals. The risk with severe flu was secondary bacterial pneumonia, he said, as H1N1 brought down the body’s defences. “Getting a yearly seasonal flu vaccine should be a must, especially for those over the age of 65, and children below the age of 5, pregnant women as well as those with heart, lung or liver diseases, diabetes, cancer or any other chronic condition and patients who are immuno-suppressed, said R. Sundaraman, Head of Internal Medicine at SIMS Hospital, Vadapalani. Reducing severity P. Kuganantham, former city health officer, too said there could be a change in the virus. “The vaccine is not 100% protection, but it does reduce the severity of the disease,” he said, adding that while many people get infected, less than 1% developed complications. To have the virus analysed, the DPH has sent a few samples to the National Institute of Virology, Pune, said Dr. Kolandaisamy. “Up until last year, our recommendation was that patients see a doctor after about two days of fever. Now, however, we are telling patients to see a doctor immediately if they have the symptoms of a respiratory infection. Doctors have been told to start H1N1 treatment if they clinically suspect H1N1 without waiting for test results,” he said. Chennai, Tiruvallur and Kancheepuram zones were the worst affected followed by Coimbatore and Tirupur, Vellore and the Tiruchi zones, he said. He said the focus is on ensuring that patients seek early care and providing early treatment to them and their contacts. Drugs and testing “We have asked all major private hospitals to stock up on Oseltamivir, the drug used for H1N1 treatment,” he said. The government has a stock of 13 lakh Oseltamivir tablets and has ordered an additional 5 lakh. There are 17 laboratories across the State that test for the virus.

Stay updated with all the Chennai Latest News headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.