Swine flu infection on the rise
H1N1 virus, which is commonly known as Swine flu has infected thousands of people in more than 170 countries around the world. It is a highly contagious disease and is spread from one person to another through coughing and sneezing. A healthy person may also catch the virus by touching a contaminated surface and then touching his nose or mouth.
Swine flu infection has been rising at such an alarming rate that has forced authorities in several affected countries to take drastic steps such as closing down schools and public places and call off religious celebrations to stop large gatherings and prevent the spread of the disease.
Swine flu cases in India
Although India has been among the few countries to have kept the spread of swine flu virus under control, the alarming rate at which the people have been getting infected in recent times has concerned the authorities. Over hundred cases per day have been reported in the country in the last few days, taking the total number of swine flu cases in India to over 1000.
Pune has been the worst affected Indian city while other swine flu cases have been reported in Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Nagpur, Hyderabad, Manipal, Thiruvananthapuram, Ahmedabad, Goa, Nashik, Jamshedpur, Gurgaon, Mangalore, Kolkata, Calicut and Jammu.
Most of the swine flu cases so far have been reported in children and old age individuals. There has been panic in people since the outbreak of the virus and despite assurances from authorities, people with even the slightest swine flu symptoms have been thronging hospitals to get themselves tested.
As per the guidelines issued, schools and colleges have been asked to watch out for individuals who show swine flu like symptoms such as cough, cold, fever, runny nose, loss of appetite etc.
Of the total number of swine flu cases reported in the country, majority of the patients have contracted the disease through contact while a few have travel history to infected countries.