19.4.10

25% Puneites develop immunity to swine flu

As the wait for an indigenous H1N1 preventive vaccine continues, a serological survey has revealed that 35% of Pune’s students have become immune to the H1N1 virus, followed by doctors (25%) and slum-dwellers (20%). The only group with less immunity is the ‘adult office going population’ (15%). Based on the findings, close to 25% of the city’s population is likely to have developed antibodies against the H1N1 flu virus, said A C Mishra, director of the National Institute of Virology (NIV). The survey, conducted by the NIV, took into account 12,000 blood samples from a cross-section of the society. “The aim of the survey was to establish the behavioural pattern of the virus in infecting various sections of people. We have submitted the survey report to an international research journal for publication,” Mishra said. Meanwhile, the indigenous H1N1 vaccine developed by the Serum Institute of India is likely to hit the market by June. “There is no denying the fact that extensive exposure to the H1N1 virus has led to the immunity, Mishra said. Asked whether the exposed people could get infected at a later stage, Mishra said, “They may not get infected with the specific strain to which they were exposed for a long time. The immunity report will help us formulate a policy as well as course of action if the second wave of the pandemic virus strikes.”

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