Editorial
Swine flu preparedness needs updating
More cases reported as a quicker spread predicted
WITH a hundred and sixty-three reported cases of Swine flu in the country since the affliction in Mexico made international news almost over quarter of a year ago, the rate of incidence in Bangladesh may not have been scary. Yet, what needs to be noted is that in the recent days there has been a sharp increase in the number of identified cases. An added concern could be the possible number of unreported cases that has evaded screening. According to experts therefore, all this is a cause for worry for a country that is densely populated and having plenty of open crowded places where people mingle or come in close contact with each other making them vulnerable to contagion.
There is a marked change in the trend of detection as well. Whereas initially it was detected in individuals arriving in the country from abroad now more and more people have tested positive for H1N1 virus inside the country. So, the fear of Swine flu cases increasing is well founded.
The afflicted are being treated on two levels: those with mild symptoms -- and luckily they are still in a majority -- are being treated at home while the complicated cases are receiving treatment at hospitals. In any case, monitoring and follow-up must be part and parcel of the flu management. Our much publicised strong point is that we have sufficient quantities of H1N1 anti-viral vaccine. The director, Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research has advised that people with Swine flu symptoms can be given anti-viral drug Oseltamivir before lab test as recommended by the WHO.
About treatment in hospitals, one major weakness has come to light. It appears that while government and public hospitals are equipped to handle swine flu cases, the private hospitals seem unprepared and ill-equipped to admit swine flu patients; some have even refused them. This is a contingency situation requiring of both public and private sector hospitals including the country-wide health centres to be fully motivated and prepared to treat swine flu patients. The private hospitals are saying that they do not simply have facilities for such patients. They should have a share in the supply of the anti-viral drug but basically they will have to speedily set up swine flu outfits with trained health professionals.
At the mass level, an awareness building exercise will have to be extensively conducted with following massages: symptoms with which they should report to a doctor, refraining from sneezing publicly or spitting callously, covering the mouth while coughing or sneezing and washing hands thereafter. Add to these, the WHO advice: keep over one arm-length distance from an infected person, eat nutritious food, drink plenty of water and get plenty of sleep and rest. The media, both electronic and print, can greatly help spread the messages along with the government.
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