‘Swine flu virus active in India’

Via Deccan Chronicle :

" Dec. 21: It looks like the A(H1N1) virus is here to stay. “The swine flu virus is very much active in India,” says virologist Dr Prasad Kulkarni, medical director of the Serum Institute India.

“While other seasonal flu viruses keep mutating constantly, so much so that scientists have to produce a new flu vaccine every year, the pandemic H1N1 virus seems to be stable, and has not shown any change,” he says. This is a crucial time, as most of the country is reeling under a cold wave or rainy weather that the virus thrives in, he added.

Meanwhile, city doctors are urging people, especially children, to get vaccinated against influenza, with the WHO announcing the ‘return’ of the pandemic H1N1 virus. With the state government dispensing around 3 lakh free doses of the H1N1 nasal spray vaccine to the BPL population, this year’s trivalent influenza vaccine is in short supply in the city, due to increased demand."