KATHMANDU, Jan 18: Last week, a swine flu patient from Tanahun district who was receiving treatment at the intensive care unit (ICU) of the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH) died in the course of treatment. Several others might have died of the virus, officials at the Epidemiology and disease Control Division (EDCD) of the Department of Health Services (DoHS), which is responsible to control the epidemic throughout the country, said. However, the EDCD does not have exact figure on the infected and deceased.
"We don't have exact figures on the deaths but this is flu season," Dr Baburam Marasini, EDCD director, said, adding that more people could be infected in the coming weeks as February is the peak season of influenza. He informed that influenza viruses like flu-H3, swine flu-H1 and Influenza B, which are active throughout the country for the past several years, cause seasonal flu in the country.Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital (STIDH) said that out of the total patients visiting the hospital lately, about 60 percent are flu patients. The hospital said that some patients have been found suffering from seasonal flu-H3, swine flu-H1 and Influenza B virus has also been found in several patients.
"The number of patients suffering from influenza virus mostly from H1 virus better known as swine flu has been rising these days," Dr Sher Bahadur Pun, of the STIDH, said. He said that the infection of the influenza virus could turn into an epidemic, as no safety measures have been implemented.
"We have found some cases where an entire family or whole classroom are infected with the virus," claimed Dr Pun. He warned of catastrophic situation, saying that the issue has been overlooked by the relevant authorities.
"The government is not serious. Neither has it launched awareness campaign nor a vaccination program," complained Dr Pun. He said that elderly people, small children and patients of chronic diseases who have low immunity are highly vulnerable to infection of flu viruses.
EDCD Director Marasini concedes that the government has not paid due attention to season flu. "We don't have funds for launching awareness campaign," he said adding that the officials at the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) on the one hand say they would do all to prevent epidemics but do not provide funds and manpower when preventive measures are essential.
He said that infections can be prevented if the funds are provided on time. "What's the point of releasing budget after infection has already spread. The state should spend immeidately on preventive measures before the situation turns into an epidemic," said Dr Marasini.
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