Punjab, Gujarat, Haryana Lead in H1N1 Deaths | 31 Jul 2024

Recently, Punjab, Gujarat, and Haryana have reported the highest number of H1N1 deaths in India, with 41, 27, and 26 deaths respectively.

Total Cases: India has recorded over 7,000 H1N1 cases so far.
Top States for Cases: Delhi (1,563), Gujarat (1,049), and Rajasthan (1,008) have the highest number of cases.
Health Ministry Guidelines: The Health Ministry has issued guidelines on screening, categorization, laboratory diagnosis, infection control, home care, and clinical management.
Prevention Measures: Public awareness campaigns emphasize hand washing, covering the mouth while coughing or sneezing, and avoiding crowded places.
Vaccination: Vaccination is highlighted as the best preventive measure against influenza.

H1N1 influenza causes a respiratory illness that can affect the respiratory tracts of pigs.
Humans are at risk of swine flu, a zoonotic disease, through close contact with infected pigs.
Swine influenza viruses can infect humans if their antigenic properties change due to reassortment with other influenza strains.
This genetic shift can improve the virus's ability to replicate and spread, making it easier for human transmission.
Such changes have led to pandemics, as seen in 1918 and 2009, when the virus gained the ability for efficient human-to-human transmission.