H1N1 continues to haunt Karnataka; hundreds of positive cases reported in coastal districts

Even though the number of H1N1 cases have come down in the last two weeks, there seems to be no respite from the air borne disease in Karnataka. As many as 56 deaths and 1,556 positive cases have been reported in the first four months of this year. In the whole of last year, 87 deaths and 1,733 cases were reported.

At 235, the highest number of positive cases are from Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) areas, according to statistics from the State Health and Family Welfare Department. Last year, 423 positive cases and two deaths were reported in BBMP limits.

The other districts where more H1N1 positive cases reported are Udupi (231), Dakshina Kannada (171), Shivamogga (145), and Mysuru (125). While Davangere has reported the highest number of deaths (10), Chitradurga and Shivamogga have reported six deaths each, followed by Uttara Kannada (5) and Mysuru (4).

While 39 deaths had been recorded till May 5, the State-level H1N1 death audit committee that met on May 4 confirmed 17 more H1N1 deaths, taking the toll to 56.

While there were 15 deaths in 2017 and no deaths in 2016, the State had witnessed 94 H1N1 deaths in 2015 and 3,565 positive cases. The number was significantly lower in 2014 with 303 positive cases and 34 deaths.

S. Sajjan Shetty, Joint Director (Communicable Diseases), said the numbers are high because more people are getting screened now. “As there are minor shifts and drifts in the strains of the virus that cause the infection, immunity against the disease does not last for more than eight to nine months. Last year, it was the California strain that caused the influenza, this time it is the Michigan strain,” the official said.

The total number of positive cases shot up from 210 reported in the middle week of April to 256 in the last week of April. Subsequently, the numbers came down to 221 and 254 in the last two weeks. However, the deaths have increased from 39 to 56. “People neglect and report late to hospitals resulting in deaths,” Dr. Shetty said.

As H1N1 is airborne, the virus thrives in thickly populated regions where floating population is high. There is no need for people to panic as the disease is no longer new and can be treated if detected early, he said. “People can also call the State helpline 104 to seek information and help,” Dr. Shetty said.