Swine Flu Cases on Rise With Bad Weather

Brace up for another round of surge in swine flu cases following changes in the weather and lowering of temperature due to short spell of rain, caution health experts in Lucknow.

Experts have stated several times that low temperature and high moisture content in air facilitate spread and activity of the H1N1 virus.

A total of 33 new swine flu cases were reported in the past 24 hours taking the total to 359 in the city. Eight patients diagnosed with H1N1 earlier were hospitalized, taking the total number of persons under treatment to 41.

"We spoke to Met department officials who said these weather conditions would continue over the next 2-3 days. This may spell trouble for people with low immunity who are generally vulnerable to infections, including swine flu," said SNS Yadav, chief medical officer, Lucknow. He reiterated there was no dearth of medicines for patients.

"The spate of H1N1 would persist at least till Holi. There's significant difference between day and night temperatures, which allows the virus to survive for a longer time. High humidity aids its spread, so prevention is advised," said Dr T N Dhole Head of microbiology department, Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute Of Medical Sciences.