H1N1 cases fall, daily record off

Owing to a sharp decline in the number of influenza-A H1N1, popularly also known as swine flu, cases reported in the national Capital, the state health ministry is contemplating to stop maintaining a daily record, and go for a weekly recording of the new cases instead, reports Rhythma Kaul.

Owing to a sharp decline in the number of influenza-A H1N1, popularly also known as swine flu, cases reported in the national Capital, the state health ministry is contemplating to stop maintaining a daily record, and go for a weekly recording of the new cases instead.

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“The numbers being reported on a daily basis are far less than what they were at one point, so we are contemplating to start recording cases on a weekly basis now and not daily,” said Dr Anjan Prakash, state additional nodal officer for H1N1. “Apart from less virus transmission, the virus is not replicating either, which means it isn’t a virulent strain. This makes us think of changing our recording pattern. However, our public awareness measures would continue as is,” added Dr Prakash.

Over the last two weeks, total number of cases reported of the viral disease stayed single digit on most days, with as less as five cases having been reported on some occasions in a single day. The latest record on Sunday had only five new cases, including one child and no death.

The dip in the number of cases has been a result of dip in the overall temperature in the city. While the first half of December saw number of new confirmed cases even touching 250, the numbers stared coming down when mercury began dropping.

The state health ministry was expecting this trend with the drop in temperature. “The numbers had started picking up when weather was comfortably cool, but with the temperature falling virus transmission reduced substantially,” said Dr Prakash.

Drop in temperature meant reduced public interaction, as people mostly preferred to stay indoors; marriage functions also got over and even schools were closed down for winter vacations.

“All these factors together meant a reduced possibility of the transfer of H1N1 virus; thus less cases being reported,” said Dr Prakash.

Meanwhile, with five new cases, total number of persons affected with the disease in the Capital is 9589, and the number of people who succumbed to the disease till now is 89.