A Study of Outbreak of swine flu (H1N1) in north –west zone of Rajasthan (current status –2015)

Dr. Surendra kumar; Dr.Vinod kumar aswal; Dr. Rahul singla

Volume : IV, Issue : IX, September - 2015

A Study of Outbreak of swine flu (H1N1) in north –west zone of Rajasthan (current status –2015)

Dr. Surendra Kumar, Dr. Vinod Kumar Aswal, Dr. Rahul Singla

Abstract :

Background: The outeak of H1N1 virus had previously reported in India during 2009 flu pandemic. In 2015,the outeak became widespread throughout India. The states of Gujarat and Rajasthan are severely affected. We study a outeak of H1N1 Virus in north–west zone of rajasthan 2015 . Objective: To demonstrate the current epidemiological scenario of swine flu ( H1N1) in north–west zone of rajasthan with different demographic factors. Methods: We screened total 6390 patients. Out of them 1405 samples of suspected cases collected from different parts of north–west rajasthan and analyzed by RT–PCR at Sardar Patel Medical College, Bikaner. Results: A total of 1405 samples examined during three and half months period, out of which 181 cases found positive for H1N1. Out of them 85 (46.97%) males and 96 (53.03%) females (M:F=1:1.13). Most patients (116) affected in age group 21–50 years which is 64.09% of total positive cases (Mean age=37.09±16.07years). The mean time of onset of symptoms to hospitalization was 5.12±3.38 days. Only 11.05% patients presented within 48 hours whereas 64.09% presented between 3–5 days of onset of symptoms. 109 (60.22%) patients were from rural areas, whereas 72 (39.77%) belonged to urban areas. Total 13 (7.18%) deaths occurred among positive cases. 69.23% deaths were recorded in the age group of 25 to 50 years. The mean age of death being 44.69 years. Females had significant higher mortality (9 females out of 13 deaths). 76.92% died within 3 days of hospitalization, despite of starting Oseltamivir in a dose of 150 mg/bd on the day of admission. 84.61% of the patients who died had one or more risk factors. Bilateral pneumonia was observed in all the 13 patients and MODS in 2 patients. Conclusions: with the above observation of swine flu trend it is likely that incidence is more in young to middle age group, majority of them having no risk factors, should form the focus of future studies. However fatality is highest in patients with co–morbid condition or predisposing risk factors need to vaccinate this group should form a scaffold on which future directions and interventions have to be built up to reduce the morbidity and mortality.. Females have slightly increased susceptibility for infection but mortality is much higher in this sex group . More patients belongs to rural areas reflecting the need of creating public awareness to present early at screening centres. The in–hospital mortality of 7.18% despite of starting Oseltamivir has raised concern about identifying the so called “Rapid Progressors” [76.92% died within 3 days of hospitalization]. Despite of all mortility is less in north–west zone as compared to rest of rajasthan.