Swine flu virus still in air in parts of country

New Delhi: Swine flu virus, which caused an influenza pandemic in 2009-10, continues to circulate in the air causing sporadic outbreaks in various parts of the country.

The impact of the outbreak of Influenza A H1N1 (swine flu) has been largely in Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Chattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Rajasthan, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh, Union Health Minister J P Nadda said in response to a question in Rajya Sabha today.

"While declaring the Influenza Pandemic to be over by 2010, World Health Organization (WHO) informed that the Pandemic Influenza virus would continue to circulate as seasonal influenza virus causing sporadic cases and outbreaks of various intensities," Nadda said.

He also informed that 12 deaths and 4,288 swine flu cases were reported in the national capital till November 22 which was higher than the figure for the year 2014.

For containment of the impact of this seasonal influenza, Nadda said that the states have been provided guidelines on screening, risk categorisation of patients, clinical case management and ventilator management.

"The states are procuring drug osaltamivir, N-95 masks and personal protective equipment as per their requirement. An emergency stock of the osaltamivir, N-95 masks and personal protective equipment is also being maintained to meet any sudden requirement.

"The laboratory network of Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme and Indian Council of Medical Research across different parts of India is providing free testing facilities for Influenza A H1N1," the minister said.