14 positive H1N1 cases in 14 days in Kolkata

The influenza that had emerged suddenly in the spring and then, sort of, melted away during winter has hit Kolkata yet again, this time probably in a mutated form.

Two more tested positive for swine flu in Kolkata on Saturday, taking the total number of affected to 14, including minister Nandagopal Bhattacharya in the last fortnight.

The two new cases include a middle-aged man and a woman. The former, attached to the ID hospital, hails from Batanagar, while the latter resides in Salt Lake.

Six patients have been discharged while the others are undergoing treatment at ID Hospital in Beliaghata and in two private hospitals in the city.

Meanwhile, with every passing day fresh samples are being sent to the H1N1 testing laboratory attached with the National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases, Beliaghata.

"We are keeping an eye on the situation. As of now, additional screening centres are not necessary. The number of collected samples has not been abnormally high either," said Asit Biswas, nodal officer for swine flu.

H1N1 virus brewing in the backyard
Unlike last year when the pandemic had got entrenched in the country in peak summer, this time, it has come during monsoon.

The troubling aspect is that the second wave seems to have originated from within the community, whereas in 2009 it was primarily generated by travelers from North America and South-East Asia.

The first case of H1N1 surfaced on May 11, 2009 in Bengal, with the cases gradually swelling in August and September. There were 130 positive cases in the state last year, but none succumbed to the disease.

According to Tomonash Bhattacharya, a tropical medicine specialist, there is a clear indication that the dominant virus has remained dormant in Kolkata and mutated over the last 14 months.

He added, “It seems the virus has been brewing in our backyard. Influenza viruses like H1N1 have a tendency to mutate and linger. They return in waves and with varying degrees of intensity.”

Health minister gives assurance
Doctors and the government have appealed to the public not to panic over swine flu situation in the state.

The Health minister Surjya Kanta Mishra gave assurance that the city is prepared for an H1N1 spread. He stated that they have been on guard since the outbreak last year so there was nothing to worry.

Hospitals with special measures to keep swine flu patients in quarantine are ready to respond effectively and there is adequate supply of Tamiflu and masks.

Mishra stated, “We are treating swine flu patients with tamiflu. Though the situation is not yet alarming, isolation wards have been kept ready in case the need arises. All other protocols are being followed.”