00:00Is H1N1 flu becoming a scare in Delhi?
00:03I don't intend to sound alarming, but we need to be on guard as well.
00:06There's a statement that has come in from Minister Pankaj Singh.
00:09Here's what the health minister is saying about the H1N flu scare
00:13that could be spreading in and around national capital Delhi
00:16and why you need to be cautious.
00:17Delhi health minister is assuring people,
00:20saying that the situation in Delhi is under control.
00:22Adequate number of doctors, medicines are available.
00:26Remember, for the past few weeks, there have been cases that have come up
00:29of adults, of children, reporting a certain kind of flu
00:34which is being tested as coming as positive for H1N1.
00:39And many also call it the swine flu.
00:42And therefore, right now, what we are looking at is Delhi minister assuring
00:46that there are adequate doctors and medicines that are available.
00:49The system is in place and there is nothing to worry about.
00:52Of course, what we can do from our individual position
00:54is to always be on the guard
00:57and to take precautions, wear a mask when necessary
01:01and if you have flu symptoms
01:02or notice someone having flu symptoms
01:05to keep a distance from them.
01:06And of course, needless to say,
01:08immediately contact the doctors around.
01:13So that is the big story that we are tracking right now.
01:16On your screen also, the latest cases that are emerging of the influenza.
01:20It's over 2,000 that are coming forth right now.
01:23This is, remember, gender is no bar, age group is no bar.
01:27Children and girls both are being affected from this.
01:30Our editor who closely tracks health, Sneha Murdani, is joining me.
01:34Sena, Sneha, what has the government said, one?
01:37What is the reality that you are picking up from the ground
01:39about the number of cases, symptoms
01:42and are hospitals really ready?
01:48You know, to answer your second question first,
01:50the government says hospitals are ready.
01:52These conversations about hospitals not giving everybody beds
01:56is absolutely unnecessary
01:57because not everybody even needs to go to the hospital.
02:00But my biggest takeaway, really, Pooja,
02:03because I've been having a conversation with so many doctors,
02:06former scientists of the WHO,
02:08Dr. Randeep Guleria, former director of AIMS,
02:10all of them seem to be suggesting that the vaccine is there
02:14and that everybody should be taking the vaccine,
02:16particularly those who are vulnerable,
02:18smaller children, elderly, immunocompromised,
02:21cancer patients, those having autoimmune diseases.
02:24But interestingly, and I repeatedly asked this question
02:26to Dr. Rajiv Behel, who is the ICMRDG right now,
02:31says people above the age of 65 and immunocompromised
02:35can consult with their doctor about taking the vaccine.
02:38Other than that, it is not something that the government
02:41is going to advise.
02:42If it would be required, it would be a part
02:44of the national immunization program, is what he said.
02:47My question on why the WHO is then recommending the vaccine,
02:51to protect people from severe disease.
02:53He did say recommendations are made,
02:55but that does not immediately translate
02:57into the government of India, including it in their immunization program.
03:01What about the shot here, the vaccination?
03:04Are we referring to the flu shot here,
03:06as it is commonly called,
03:08or do you think there's some other shot that needs to be taken for this?
03:12Pooja,
03:14no, no, we are referring to the flu vaccine,
03:17which the government says is not really needed.
03:20I am referring to the flu vaccine when I say the vaccine against seasonal influenza,
03:24which includes H1N1.
03:25He's also gone on, importantly, to say that this is not swine flu anymore.
03:30It's mutated and there are more cases,
03:32because the idea behind the virus,
03:34that's its job,
03:35to infect more people.
03:37It's practically its job.
03:38So that is what it is doing.
03:40Also, I want to tell you something else, Pooja, about this.
03:43It's a droplet infection.
03:44So if you're literally coughing or sneezing onto my face,
03:47and I have, and you have H1N1,
03:49then you pass it on to me.
03:51It is not something that requires us to wear a mask.
03:54I would want to reiterate that this is a position that has been taken by this government.
03:58The ICMRDG says no need to wear a mask.
04:02Also says antiviral available for it,
04:05I have to mention this,
04:06is effective only when given within first 48 hours of the infection.
04:11That too is not needed by most people.
04:13Also, respiratory hygiene is something that has to be followed.
04:17Sneha and I sit adjacent to each other here in the newsroom.
04:20We'll also keep all of this in mind.
04:22Appreciate you joining us for spreading this awareness.
04:26Sneha, thank you very much.
04:27And let's hope everyone stays cautious and safe on this.
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