Irfan Tramboo
Srinagar, Nov 2: Keeping in view the trend of H1NI virus and the subsequent cases that were being usually reported during winter season, this year, there has not been much activity reported thus far in the Valley.
As per records maintained at Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Soura regarding the cases of virus, so far only one H1N1 case has been reported at the Institute, which, as per the doctors, is far less in comparison to what was reported last year at this point of the year.
Last year from September to January 2018, there were a total number of 120 such cases that were reported in Valley, out of which 39 were undergoing treatment at SKIMS while as 7 deaths were also reported.
At this point of time, last year, there were more than 10 cases of H1N1 virus that were reported at the hospital. There were few deaths of the patients who were infected by the virus as well owing to the co-morbidities that that patients had.
Dr Pervaiz Kaul, Head of the Department Medicine SKIMS told Excelsior that their H1N1 lab has reported less activity of the virus so far and it is quite low in comparison what was reported last year. “The activity of the H1N1 virus is very less as of now. Normally there used to be a good activity of the virus at this time of the year, but it is totally different as of now,” he said.
When asked about the reason for the virus being less active, Dr Kaul said that it happens as the virus keeps on changing. “We cannot say that there will be no activity of the virus; sometimes, it starts appearing in October, sometimes in November, sometimes in February-but all I am saying is that, as of now, very less activity of the virus has been reported in the Valley,” he added.
Earlier, there were reports that more than six cases of H1N1 were reported and the patients were undergoing treatment at SKIMS. However, Medical Superintendent SKIMS Dr Farooq Jan told Excelsior that only one case of H1N1 has been reported whose condition was being monitored in the isolation ward of the hospital.
“Call it luck or whatever you can, but only one case of H1N1 has been reported so far at SKIMS. The patient is undergoing treatment as of now,” he said, while adding the Institute was well equipped to deal with any situation.
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