Mangalore: 4 test positive

 
They are Balasubramanya, III BE student of Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT) and Tarun, a worker at the MIT food court. Two more students of MIT have also tested positive.

Speaking to the mediapersons here on Monday, Udupi district Surveillance Officer Dr Rohini said that Balasubramanya had been to London for a study tour and returned on July 24. He complained of fever on August 8. Tarun (20), a resident of Kamatipalya in Bangalore had returned from Bangalore on August 4. He had complained of feeling uneasy while breathing, and was admitted to KMC on Sunday. Both patients have been quarantined and are under medication, Dr Rohini said.

Two more suspected swine flu cases were reported in Mangalore on Monday. One of them is a student of KMC, Mangalore and the other, a local. With this, the suspected number of swine flu cases in Mangalore has increased to 23.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, District Health Surveillance Officer Dr Rajesh said, “We have received the report of 17 cases, of which six tested positive. Four samples of throat swabs of  students of NITK have been sent to KMC, Manipal. The report is awaited.”

Meanwhile, the first patient to test positive for H1N1 in Mangalore, has been discharged from hospital.

FAQs answered

Here is a comprehensive look at the many frequently-asked critical questions about H1N1, answered through information gathered and compiled by the Centre for Disease Control (CDC), World Health Organisation (WHO), Indian Medical Association (IMA) and other sources:

What is H1N1 (swine) flu?
H1N1 (referred to as “swine flu”) is a new influenza virus causing illness in people. This new virus was first detected in people in the United States in April 2009. Other countries, including Mexico and Canada, have reported people sick with this new virus. This virus is spreading from person-to-person, probably in much the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread.

Why is H1N1 virus sometimes called ‘swine flu’?
This virus was originally referred to as ‘swine flu’ because laboratory testing showed that many of the genes in this new virus were very similar to influenza viruses that normally occur in pigs in North America.

How do you catch H1N1 (swine) flu?
Spread of H1N1 (swine) flu can occur in two ways: One, through contact with infected pigs, or environments contaminated with swine flu viruses. Two, through contact with a person with H1N1 (swine) flu. Human-to-human spread of H1N1 (swine) flu has been documented also, and is thought to occur in the same way as seasonal flu. Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person, through coughing or sneezing of infected people. 

How does the H1N1 virus spread?
Spread of the H1N1 virus is thought to be happening in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing by people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

Are there medicines to treat H1N1 (swine) flu?
Yes. CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir (brand name Tamiflu Æ) or zanamivir (brand name Relenza Æ) for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with these H1N1 (swine) influenza viruses. Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaler) that fight against the flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body.