Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Oct 8: A sudden spurt in H1N1 or swine flu cases in Bengaluru has put health department officials on their toes, who have issued health cautionary to the public.

From 29 to October 5, nearly 46 cases have been confirmed in the city. The department has taken up a survey in over 3,500 houses to detect swine flu and tamiflu tablets are being distributed to the family members of the affected.

During survey, areas such as Dommasandra, Singasandra, Sahakara Nagar, Konanakunte, Begapur, MS Palya, Amruthahalli, Jalahalli, Avalahalli, KR Puram, B Narayanapura, Doddakannahalli, Garudacharpalya, Siddapura, Varthur, Kodi, Ramamurthy Nagar and Marathahalli were found most susceptible to the flu.

Bengaluru health officer Dr Sreenivasa told media that public has been cautioned to maintain hygiene as well as cover the face while coughing and sneezing. The department has been asked to monitor the reported cases.

Meanwhile, Bengaluru urban district surveillance officer Dr Sunanda said that directives have been issued on diagnosing the ailment correctly and also ensuring medicines are made available to patients.

Swine flu, or H1N1, is caused by a strain of the influenza A virus. Symptoms of swine flu are cough, fever, sore throat, headache, nausea, vomiting, body ache and chills. The virus is said to have been initially transmitted to humans from pigs.

Karnataka’s Shivamogga district saw a spurt in H1N1 with a total of 16 cases being reported as of September 27. The flu could have spread to the IT city from Shivamogga, suspect the officials.