Bangladesh worried about Swine flu

n 2009 when the virus first struck in Mexico, panic gripped even Bangladesh.Within a couple of months, the World Health Organisation declared the H1N1 a global pandemic and Bangladesh recorded the first case of the virus attack commonly known as swine flu, triggering the panic further.

Anxious people had been seen rushing to hospitals for check-ups. At least eight people died among an estimated 10,000 cases.

But this year, when it broke in neighbouring India, where at least 1,200 people have died so far, swine flu is not being discussed much barring a few television headlines.

However, the authorities began to talk only after media enquiries.

“We are closely observing the situation,” Prof Mahmudur Rahman, Director of the government’s disease monitoring arm, IEDCR, told bdnews24.com.

“This is not our season (for influenza). But you cannot make any prediction about virus and its spread particularly when it is in a neighbouring country,” he said.After the 2009 outbreak, swine flu became a “seasonal influenza” (H1N1) in Bangladesh like the other two viruses --influenza B and H3.
A combined vaccine against these three viruses is available, meaning, a single shot can help high-risk groups like pregnant women, uncontrolled diabetic, and cancer patients.

Usually this is self-limiting when it infects a healthy individual. “Only a small percentage needs hospitalisation.”

“We are always against creating panic. We advise on how the disease spreads and its prevention,” said Prof Rahman, a member of three WHO expert committees on influenza.

He said the most affected Indian states -- Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Rajasthan -- were far away from the Bangladesh border.here is a perception that winter is the period when the influenza virus circulates in Bangladesh, as people suffer from fever, cough, and related ailments.
But according to the IEDCR, the period begins from April and ends in September. It shows spikes in July and August.

Not a single case of influenza was reported in Bangladesh during the past three months, according to the IEDCR record, even when India saw a swine flu outbreak.

“The winter-related ailments are caused by common respiratory viruses like respiratory syncytial virus, and human metapneumo virus, which are less severe,” Prof Rahman said.

Bangladesh last recorded a swine flu case in April 2013.

The director, however, said the government had taken steps to stockpile the drug Oseltamivir used for swine flu treatment.

He said there was “adequate” personal protective equipment (PPE) for medical personnel.

Moreover, more than 6,000 doctors and 4,000 nurses were trained last year on the management of influenza, MERS corona virus, and Ebola.o we can say we are ready to face anything,” the director said.

The IEDCR, as a national agency, monitors emerging diseases with its 25 facility-based surveillance sites across Bangladesh.

It is also a National Influenza Centre (NIC), one among the 142 global centres in 112 countries.As a reference lab, this institute shares information with the WHO for global vaccine research and production.
Only this institute, IEDCR, and ICDDR,B are accredited to test and confirm swine flu in Bangladesh.

Fever, runny nose, sore throat, and cough followed by breathing difficulty are some of the symptoms of swine flu.

“At this moment we suggest seeing a doctor if these symptoms are noticed within seven to 10 days of coming back from India,” Prof Rahman said.

Maintaining personal hygiene, especially the washing hands and the crook of one’s elbow with soap are advised to prevent any flu.

The WHO does not advise any country screening on ports for detecting swine flu.

The cases in West Bengal, with which Bangladesh shares most of its border, are mostly imported from those states.

“We have to be careful, no doubt, as it is our neighbouring country. But we should not be worried at this time,” Prof Rahman said.

“There is a seasonal difference in the circulation of seasonal influenza in Bangladesh and India, as it differs from country to country, region to region,” he said.