Swine flu resurfaces in J&K, 5 cases reported DAK urges people to get vaccinated

Srinagar: Claiming that swine flu has once again surfaced in the state with five people in Jammu tested positive for H1N1, Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) today urging people to get vaccinated that would protect them from getting flu.
“Annual flu vaccine would protect people from flu-related complications, hospitalization and death. Everyone — 6 months and old aged person — should get a flu shot. And, now is the time to get the vaccine,” DAK President and flu expert Dr Nisar ul Hassan said.
Dr Hassan said this year’s flu vaccine has been updated and contains protection against mutated swine flu strain along with several other strains. “We have a new strain of virus in circulation, called Michigan strain that has replaced earlier California strain which was circulating since pandemic 2009,” he said.
While vaccine is recommended for all, he said, it is especially needed in too young, old, pregnant and people with medical conditions.
“Children 6 months to 8 years old need two doses, one month apart to be fully protected,” he said.
Dr Hassan said only injectables are recommended this season, as nasal spray vaccine, popular among children is not recommended for use as it was found to be ineffective.
“Flu jabs protect pregnant women, their unborn babies and their newborn babies upto 6 months after they are born which is important as infants upto 6 months are too young to receive the vaccine,” Dr Hassan said.
He said healthcare workers should be compulsorily vaccinated to ensure safety of patients.
“25,864 cases of swine flu were reported across the country so far this year which is over 14 times what we witnessed in 2016. While 265 persons died due to H1N1 last year, this year so far 1100 persons have died,” he said.
“Swine flu is a respiratory disease which manifests with cough, fever, sore throat, runny nose and body ache and it emerged first in 2009 when it became pandemic affecting huge number of people,” the DAK president said.
“Washing your hands, covering your cough and staying home when ill will help keep you and your loved ones healthy and well,” he added.