Swine flu has surged sharply in the capital with 1,066 cases being confirmed in the last one month, which is more than four times the number reported during the rest of this year. The total number of cases till August 13 this year stands at 1,307, more than six times the corresponding period of 2016.
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Nationally, 18,855 cases of the H1N1 influenza have been reported this year, claiming 929 lives.
But despite the spurt in cases in the capital, the number of deaths has not risen significantly. "Only four deaths have been reported: two from Delhi and two patients from outside have died," Delhi health minister Satyendra Jain said in the assembly last week. At a review meeting on Friday, Delhi health department officials told their counterparts in the Centre that the city has sufficient training and stocks of medicines to tackle the swine flu outbreak.
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Health experts said there was no cause for panic over the sudden spurt in swine flu in Delhi. "People should not panic if they suffer normal viral infection. The high-risk groups include people with heart diseases, pregnant women, children below eight years of age, senior citizens, diabetics and kidney disease patients. These patients need special treatment," said a doctor.
Dr Jagdish Prasad, director-general of health services, told TOI that the Centre had offered to train doctors of Delhi government and private hospitals on treating swine flu cases. "If any hospital wants training, we can send our doctors," he said.
Delhi health minister Satyendar Jain said in the assembly last week that the government had enough stocks of medicines and vaccines to tackle the outbreak.
"Adequate facilities for treatment are available in Delhi. We have placed orders for the advance purchase of medicines," Jain said. He added that there were reserved beds for patients in government hospitals and not even 5% of these beds had been occupied.
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The spike in the cases at this time of the year has come as a surprise because swine flu usually peaks in the post monsoon season and early winter. Some health conscious people have started maintaining caution when they are in public places because of the H1N1 virus, which causes swine flu, transmits from human to human.
"The spike in swine flu at this time is also due to infection coming in from states where a very high number of cases have been reported.Such a big outbreak in the month of August is a matter of concern since swine flu usually rises in October and November," said Dr K K Aggrawal, national president of the IMA. The association has planned to launch a poster campaign against swine flu."