Even as A (H1N1) influenza continues to claim lives across Tamil Nadu, a clinical examination of swabs collected from patients has found that the H1N1 virus in circulation in the State is of Michigan strain, the last known type of H1N1 virus found in India.
The type of virus in circulation was found when swabs collected from at least four persons tested positive for A (H1N1) influenza were further subjected to analysis at King Institute of Preventive Medicine and Research, Guindy, recently.
“The report of the examination showed that Michigan strain of the virus was present in all the swabs we had sent. The examination was done as an independent effort by the Health Department to know more about the type of virus present in the State,” said Director of Public Health K. Kolandasamy.
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He said that influenza-like illness (ILI) monitoring centres of the World Heath Organisation (WHO) is monitoring virus strains of A (H1N1) influenza, a subtype of influenza A virus, across the world.
The WHO findings also showed that the Michigan strain of H1N1 virus is in circulation in the country.
The examination was also done to ensure that the current antiviral treatment followed is efficient to treat and prevent the disease.
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“The virus strain found in the swabs also tested 100 % sensitive to Oseltamivir, the antiviral mediation followed in the State. This means we are following the right antiviral treatment,” said Mr. Kolandasamy.
Though three allopathic medicines are effective for antiviral treatment, Oseltamivir is widely chosen as the drug of treatment and prevention.
The drug comes in capsules of 75 mg, 45 mg and 30 mg and in syrup form for infants (60 ml bottle equal to 12 mg per ml).
Apart from treating those infected, all persons who were in contact with patients are also administered with Oseltamivirto even if they have do not have symptoms of the disease.