Pune: Maharashtra has registered a significant spike in H1N1 ( swine flu ) cases this monsoon. According to health department data, the state has had 1,402 H1N1 cases since Jan 1 this year, a 70% increase from the 821 patients it recorded during the same period last year. Deaths have risen too.
At least 30 people have so far died of H1N1 complications this year. In 2023, during the same period (Jan 1 to Aug 20), Maharashtra had seven deaths. Dr Ameet Dravid, an infectious disease specialist with Noble Hospital in Pune, said H1N1 has indeed surged in 2024.
“The amount of rain this year and lower temperatures likely led to H1N1 finding a foothold in Pune. Mortalities seem to have increased too. Many patients are turning up at hospitals with severe pneumonia,” he said, adding that treatment options are limited once H1N1-triggered pneumonia progresses to requiring ventilation.
Dr Dravid said adult flu vaccination is crucial, given the high number of cases. He said: “This is especially for senior citizens. Unfortunately, we don't prioritize adult vaccination as a preventive measure for these illnesses.
” He said, “I also believe we should consider prescribing Oseltamivir empirically to anyone with flu-like symptoms, without even testing for H1N1 because of its high prevalence. Many people are just going to local general practitioners for fever, cough and cold. This way, they are potentially missing out on crucial treatment.
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