Industry Voice

Swine flu: How Serious a Threat?

Coordinated efforts can prevent swine flu spread in India

"The WHO says the virus can be contagious among humans in close contact and the outbreak has 'pandemic potential'" - Parul Soni The writer is Associate Director Aid and Development Services KPMG India

Swine influenza is a common and sometimes fatal respiratory disease among pigs, first identified in 1930, that is caused by a Type A influenza virus. Normally, the disease is specific only to pigs. But sometimes pigs can harbour more than one flu virus at one time, which enables the pathogens to mix genes. As a result, a new viral strain emerges that can cross the species barrier to humans, starting with people in contact with infected pigs. The latest threat is a strain of the H1N1 type of flu virus. As per the World Health Organisation (WHO), 18 countries have officially reported 898 cases of influenza A (H1N1) infection as on 3 May 2009.

The WHO says the virus can be contagious among humans in close contact and the outbreak has 'pandemic potential', meaning there is risk of a spread across regions or continents. In simple words, swine flu is like a common flu which can get transmitted in humans through viral particles expelled in coughs and sneezes that are then breathed in by someone nearby, or deposited on surfaces that are then touched by the hand and transmitted to the mouth, nose or eyes. People with the virus may be able to infect others beginning a day before symptoms develop, and up to seven days or more after becoming sick. Young children may be contagious for a longer duration.

A global pandemic of swine flu has potential to adversely affect already hard hit global economy. The wisdom says that prevention is always better than cure. Given the fact that swine flu could be transmitted easily it becomes essential to prevent an outbreak of swine flu in the country.

Why India is at Risk

• High density of population means if the virus entered the country, it would become difficult to control the outbreak.
• India is a tourist destination which means lot of international travelers visiting the country may carry the infection.
• An infected person can transmit disease even before symptoms develop- therefore it is difficult to identify carriers of virus.
• Lot of travelers from India visit the US and other countries for business and leisure trips and can bring the virus to the country

What is Required?

Swine flu is not a public health problem alone. It has multi dimensions and therefore coordinated efforts of all the stakeholders are essential to prevent, control and manage an outbreak of swine flu in the country. I feel that we should work together on 'Disaster Risk Mitigation and Preparedness model'. Our focus should be prevention of swine flu from entering our country, but at the same time we should be prepared for an outbreak so that incase we do not succeed in preventing an outbreak we are prepared for control and management of swine flu.

Government Initiatives

• Develop an information system in order to ensure timely collection and dissemination of information.
• Surveillance at ports and airports to monitor all the incoming travelers in the country.
• Ensure availability of oseltamivir (Tamiflu) drug required to prevent and treat global swine flu outbreak.
• Mass public awareness on symptoms and treatment of swine flu. The public at large should be aware on how to prevent swine flu, what are the symptoms and treatment. The public should also be motivated to report the potential cases immediately so that corrective actions could be taken.

Corporate Sector

• Prevent 'non-essential travel' to swine flu-affected countries.
• Raise awareness among the employees on prevention, symptoms and management of swine flu.
• Develop a surveillance system and all potential cases should be reported to designated hospitals immediately. In case an employee is detected positive, other employees who came in contact with infected person should be tested.

Civil Society

• Civil society should take immediate steps to raise mass awareness on prevention, symptoms and treatment of swine flu.
• Civil society may also initiate a surveillance system in the project areas and ensure that all potential cases are reported immediately.

Schools

• Raise awareness among the children.
• Keep a vigil on students and immediately report symptomatic cases.

Individuals and community

• Stay informed on prevention, symptoms and treatment. Disseminate information.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
• Stay home if you get sick.

As of today, no case of swine flu has been detected in India but we need to be informed and prepared to avoid an outbreak. Efforts and money spent on prevention is much less than what would be required for treatment.