M A I N   N E W S

India readies to tackle swine flu
To acquire additional 10 million anti-viral doses
Aditi Tandon
News Service

New Delhi, April 30
India today decided to raise its anti-viral stockpile from the mandated one million doses to 10 million over the next week, after the World Health Organisation (WHO) raised the level of swine flu pandemic alert from phase 4 to 5, just one short of a pandemic.

n Global swine flu pandemic imminent as WHO raises alert level to 5, one short of pandemic n Nations put on high alert; told to activate preparedness plans n No suspected cases in India so far

The WHO raised the alarm level after a growing evidence of sustained human-to-human infection in two countries (at least one other country in a different WHO region). It also put all countries on high alert for “unusual outbreaks of influenza-like illness and severe pneumonia” adding that full clinical spectrum of the disease could go from mild illness to severe disease.

Developing countries need to exercise more caution in view of WHO Director-General Margaret Chan’s written message today: “From past experience, we now feel that influenza may cause mild disease in affluent countries but more severe disease, with higher mortality, in developing countries”.

WHICH NATIONS ARE AFFECTED Three pandemics occurred in the last century in 1918, 1957 and 1968. The current flu epidemic has affected nine countries, which have so far reported 148 cases of swine flu infection. The US has reported 91 lab confirmed human cases of infection with one death; Mexico has reported 26 confirmed cases with seven deaths. Countries with reported lab confirmed cases with no deaths are Canada (13 cases), Austria (1), Germany (3), New Zealand (3), Spain (4) and UK (5).

All countries have been asked to activate their pandemic preparedness plans, with Dr Jai Naraian at the WHO India office today saying: “Many people are going to come down sick. Countries must be prepared to handle flu cases in the community.” He said India was in the forefront in terms of preparedness and response to epidemic situations.

India for its part heeded quickly to WHO’s advice by alerting all four local Tamiflu manufacturers - Cipla, Ranbaxy, Rocha India and Hetro Drugs - to upscale anti-viral dose production for immediate procurement of 10 million treatments by the government. The health ministry said it would decentralise the stocking of Tamiflu and personal protection equipment for use by states, which have been told to step up surveillance under the Integrated Disease Management Programme.

So far, no suspected case of swine flu has been reported in India. A 27-year-old NRI, returning from Texas, USA, yesterday reported common cold symptoms to a private hospital in Hyderabad. He was referred to Government Chest Hospital, where he didn’t show up.

The government said it had tracked down the passenger to his residence and he has tested negative for influenza. His clinical samples are being flown in for tests at the National Institute of Communicable Diseases in Delhi; the idea is to completely rule out suspicion.

In the screening of international passengers at 17 international airports today, no suspected case was reported. The government has, however, received a list from immigration authorities of 50,000 international passengers who entered India in the past 10 days. They are being tracked down for screening of flu, as the incubation period for the virus is seven days.

Indian health authorities further ruled out panic, saying there was no infection in the country so far. They asked people to report flu-like symptoms at the toll-free helpline 1075, assuring that containment of swine flu was an option in India.