Swine Flu News
Round Table Conference on Swine Flu in National Capital
In an initiative by the Ranbaxy Science Foundation (RSF), a non-profit organization set-up by Ranbaxy Laboratories Limited (RLL), an open forum involving scientists and public health professionals was held in the national capital to discuss the H1N1 Swine Flu pandemic in India.
The situation with regard to the progress of the pandemic in the entire world and with specific reference to India was discussed as reported here. The methods that have been seen to be successful and those which have been less so were discussed as were issues such as preparedness for pandemics in the future. Panel discussion were held, which came to certain conclusions, in terms of:
- The numbers infected worldwide and in India as well as the number of deaths.
- That H1N1 is not a very serious disease, symptoms are similar to common flu and can often be cured without specific medication
- Spread of virus is not possible to stop, instead measures to detect, diagnose and treat early can contribute to saving lives and limiting further spread
- High risk groups were identified
- Screening at airports not recommended, neither is testing of all people with flu like symptoms.
- Decision such as school and cinema closure to be taken by respective state governments, however such measures will not stop spread
- Private labs and hospitals have to be involved to combat the spread
- Effectiveness of Tamiflu to combat H1 N1 Swine flu
- Vaccine to be most effective to control swine flu
- Increasing awareness of ways to stop spread by social distancing, respiratory etiquette and hand hygiene etc., best measures to keep virus at bay
The experts panelists included Shobha Broor, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi and Prof. T. Jacob John, Formerly Professor and Head, Departments of Clinical Microbiology and Virology, Christian Medical College, Vellore. Jai P. Narain Director, Dept. of Communicable Diseases, WHO-SEARO, New Delhi, delivered the keynote address on the topic “Global Scenario of H1N1 Pandemic Influenza”.
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