Swine flu does not exist in globe, IEDCR says

Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) has said swine flu does not exist in the globe anymore and people should not be worried about it.

The national institute for conducting disease surveillance and outbreak investigation came up with the statement on Sunday.

The institute said influenza was epidemic in the world in 2009, when it was called swine flu.

"But later, World Health Organisation (WHO) imposed direction to term it seasonal influenza (H1N1) in 2010. So, there is no virus called swine flu,” Director General (DG) of health services Prof Abul Kalam Azad said at a press briefing.

IEDCR Director Prof. Dr. Meerjady Sabrina Flora and Principal Scientific Officer ASM Alamgir also addressed the press conference that was held at IEDCR auditorium in city’s Mohakhali area.

When the virus was detected in Bangladesh again in 2013, experts said swine flu became a “seasonal influenza” (H1N1) in Bangladesh like the other two viruses –influenza B and H3.

Patients with problems in the respiratory system or lungs, those who have diabetes, pregnant women, children aged between six months and five years, and people older than 65 years are more vulnerable to H1N1, DG said.

"Pregnant women, uncontrolled diabetic and cancer patients are also at high risk of H1N1," he added.

Urging all not to panic, IEDCR Director Meerjady Sabrina Flora said, vaccine for the disease is available here and people can take it following doctors’ prescription.

At present, it is not the season of the seasonal flu while the flu is now common in the USA and Europe, so we have to be conscious if any H1N1 positive person arrives here, she said.

Fever, runny nose, sore throat, and cough followed by breathing difficulty are some of the symptoms of the seasonal flu. IEDCR suggest cautionary steps –Cover nose and mouth when cough or sneeze, wash hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing, try to avoid close contact with sick people.

Regarding the reason of death of Awami League former lawmaker Fazilatunnesa Bappy, Flora said, she died of respiratory problem and suffering from pneumonia and respiratory complications and seasonal flu.