Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Jan 27: Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) today warned public health officials not to be complacent as influenza could become more widespread as season wears on.
“Although so far, this flu season has been mild but that does not mean we are out of woods yet. This year’s slow start to the flu season isn’t out of ordinary as other seasons have had the same pattern,” said the DAK president Dr Nisar-ul-Hassan here.
He said during previous flu season “when we thought worst was over there was sudden spike in cases in February”. “National Institute of Virology also observed steep rise of 22% in swine flu cases during February in 2015 which continued for sometime thereafter. According to a flu forecast project there is a 57% chance that this flu season will likely peak in February,” said Dr Nisar, who is also an H1N1 expert.
He said CDC in its weekly report has said that flu activity is increasing and H1N1 is the dominant circulating strain. “We are expecting a lot more flu coming down the road and we must not lower our guard. While flu spreads every year timing, severity and length of flu is unpredictable and can vary from season to season,” the DAK president said.
The DAK president further said while swine flu scare is looming over the valley, “there are serious gaps such as low vaccination rates and no efforts are made to educate people about the need for vaccine which is the best defense against flu”.
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