Civic body urges state for 1,000 Michigan strain swine flu vaccines

At the heels of the second swine flu death in Mumbai in which a 72-year-old woman from Kurla succumbed to the viral infection, the health officials in the city insisted there is no need to panic. "We have kept 5 beds reserved for swine flu at all major civic hospitals, details of the standard protocol to be followed have been sent to both public and private doctors," said Dr Padmaja Keskar, health officer, BMC.

"We have California strain vaccine, but the Centre is now providing Michigan strain vaccine. We have asked the state to provide us 1,000 doses of Michigan strain vaccine which we hope to get soon," Dr Keskar added.

The Michigan strain was a strain that was isolated by the researchers at the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune that is run by the Indian Council of Medical Research's (ICMR). It was done as a part of the H1N1 surveillance in the country.

Mumbai has reported 34 swine flu cases since January this year and there have been two deaths.

"The symptoms of swine flu is the same as the normal flu, so washing hands regularly and wearing the N95 masks are the best preventive measures. Also, one needs to keep immunity levels high and remain well hydrated," said Dr Altaf Patel, Director, medicine, Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre.

Explaining the need to use the latest vaccination, he said, "Vaccination which was in use last year will provide only 80 per cent protection as per WHO guidelines."

...& ANALYSIS

• Swine Flu spreads via droplet infection and those infected are advised to stay away from public places. Those travelling to areas where a large number of swine flu cases have been reported like Pune or Nashik are also at a high risk.