With Karnataka reporting 53 cases of swine flu deaths, the second largest number in the country after Maharashtra, the Central team from the Directorate of Government Health Services (DGHS) has now recommended immediate administration of the antiviral drug Tamiflu. Early administration of Tamiflu is critical task and should be on the top agenda of doctors at all private clinics.

The central team led by Dr Shivalal, special director-general Health Services, was here in Bangalore to assess if there is any similarity in the pattern of H1N1 deaths from those reported in Pune with those of Bangalore. They are also trying to find out the reason for the spread of the virus and the main cause of reporting so many deaths. Other members of the team included Dr Dhariwal, additional director, National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD), Pune along with three doctors from the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi.

The observations were that 53 deaths were due to the delayed admissions to the hospitals. They directed the Karnataka healthcare officials to focus on preventive and early diagnosis, besides create an awareness among the public to report early. Pattern of death is the same in the two cities of Pune and Bangalore. This is because of similar climatic conditions. Both are home to international airports and have floating populations.

The DGHS officials also reiterated that clinical audits and the report is likely to be submitted within 10 days, IR Perumal, principal secretary, department of health and family welfare government of Karnataka told Pharmabiz.

The efforts of involving the private hospitals to treat the patients tested positive for H1N1 was also appreciated. The state has also given the permission to the people to opt for Ayurveda and homoeopathy drugs to prevent the flu, he added.

Further, the state officials were also directed not to disclose the details of the patient and hospitals which reported the deaths because of the social stigma, said Dr TS Chelvaraj, joint director, communicable diseases, Karnataka department of health and family welfare.

Bangalore has 91 private hospitals and six government hospitals designated as H1N1 centres of care.

According to Dr Shashidar Buggi, director Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Diseases which is a WHO designated centre and government hospital for treatment for diagnosis and treatment of H1N1 virus, containing the disease would require sensitizing general practitioners to prevent the deaths.

Most of the fatal cases had complications reported late and suffered from related health problems. The virus is now infecting people who neither had any contact with an infected person nor international travel history. Analysing this pattern the state health officials have concluded that the virus is in the community and is spreading rapidly.