The health department of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) recently reported that there have been 8 cases of swine flu in Mumbai in January 2020 i.e. highest in January since 2016. Interestingly, most of them had symptoms similar to coronavirus and therefore when they went for a check-up they were detected with swine flu.
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The common symptoms of the disease are fever, cold and cough, fatigue, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, body aches, watery eyes and sore throat. The best way to prevent swine flu is by vaccinations. The treatment includes pain relievers and fluids and in some cases, antiviral medication and IV fluids may be required. With changes in the strain of the H1N1 virus, doctors recommended precautionary measures, especially for those who have any respiratory illness or a weak immune system.
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Due to fluctuations in temperature and monsoon, more cases of swine flu are reported between June and August as it creates a suitable environment for the pathogens to grow. Since 2016, swine flu has started being reported in the month of January. In December 2019, there were three confirmed cases which rose up to eight cases in January. All eight patients are hospitalised and are being treated.
In 2015, there were 1,815 cases registered in Mumbai with 19 death cases. Whereas in 2018, there were 25 reported cases with no casualties and in 2019, there were 451 cases and 5 deaths. Notably, swine flu was first recognised in the 1919 pandemic and still circulates as a seasonal flu virus. It is caused by the H1N1 virus strain, which first started in pigs.
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In the latest development to the coronavirus in Maharashtra, four people in the state, including a 29-year-old Sanpada resident, have been quarantined after they were suspected of having contracted the coronavirus.
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