Three Delhi schools close down due to swine flu scare

[Commonground]

Monday, September 07, 2009From correspondents in Delhi, India, 10:02 PM IST


The swine flu scare in the national capital forced the closure of three public schools Monday after some of their students tested positive for the influenza A (H1N1) virus.
While the Vishwa Bharti Public School in Dwarka was closed for two days, the Heritage Grove Public School in Vasant Kunj and Banyan Tree School in Lodhi Colony were closed for a week.
'The school has been closed for two days for now and students will join from Wednesday. A student tested positive for the flu,' said a Vishwa Bharti Public School official.
'However, if the management decides to extend the holidays, it will be communicated to children and parents,' the official told IANS.
The Heritage Grove Public School was closed down for a week after a student was detected with the virus Monday. It was the school's first swine flu case, authorities said.
'The school has been closed till Sep 13. The students will return to the school on Sep 14. Parents and children have been informed about it both through a circular and SMSes,' said an official at the school.
'The step has been taken as a precaution against swine flu as it is the school's first case,' the official added.
The Banyan Tree School suspended classes only for standard IX for a week's time.
School authorities told students, especially those who had traveled in the bus that was used by the child detected with the virus, to stay at home for a week.
'Class IX has been given a one-week leave after we came to know that one of the students of this class tested positive for swine flu virus. They will join school from Sep 14,' the official added.
The national capital also reported its fourth swine flu case Monday when a 69-year-old died due to the virus at the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital. The total death toll in India has gone up to 135.
A 12-year-old girl with acute respiratory problems continues to be critical at the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, doctors said.

http://www.indiaenews.com/health/20090907/219454.htm

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: Three Delhi schools close down due to swine flu scare

At 84, H1N1 tally peaks to highest in single day
TNN 8 September 2009, 11:56pm IST

NEW DELHI: On Tuesday, 84 new cases of H1N1 influenza were confirmed in the capital, according to Delhi government. But there were conflicting
reports with the Union health ministry saying that 120 cases were detected on the day.

Earlier, the highest number of cases confirmed in a day was never more than 60. Of the 84 cases, 38 were children. Doctors attribute this rise in H1N1 influenza cases to the sudden dip in temperature and warn that children are more prone to the infection, as they spend long hours in schools.

Till now, 994 cases have tested positive for swine flu in Delhi. "We have 147 positive cases undergoing treatment, but a majority of patients are in home quarantine. The number of cases reported today (Tuesday) are more as there is a sudden change in temperature,'' said Dr Anjan Prakash, additional nodal officer, Delhi government. The discrepancy in the figures provided by the Centre and state occurs because of a difference in the reporting system, and has occurred on previous occasions, too.

The virus spreads faster in low temperature and it might become more virulent in the days to come. But now that the infection is in the air, one can't do much. "There is a viral shift taking place and the virus might become more virulent. The infection is in the air now and little can be done to prevent oneself from being exposed. Still one should take necessary precautions. This is a season for flu, but this time we have a new virus and that is H1N1,'' said Dr GC Vaishnava, head of the department, internal medicine, Fortis Healthcare.

Doctors say that it is children who are at a greater risk of contracting the infection. There are two reasons for this: Low immunity and long hours in close clusters at school. According to Dr Sanjeev Bagai, head of the department paediatrics and director, Rockland Hospital, "Children are a vulnerable lot. They spend close to eight hours in school and move in close groups. In one child has it, he/she will end up infecting at least 20 others in the class. Another reason is that the immune system hosts an inadequate response to the primary H1N1 infection. Therefore, the infection can become really serious. Parents should take ear infection, sinusitis and bronchitis seriously, as it could be the masking symptoms of H1N1 infection.''

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/city/delhi/At-84-H1N1-tally-peaks-to-highest-in-single-day/articleshow/4987748.cms