12.8.09

Why Pune became the epicentre of H1N1 ?

With cloudy and cold conditions prevailing in Maharashtra and Pune, in particular, the climate is most conducive for spread of the Influenza A H1N1 virus, requiring the people to be extra cautious. According to microbiologists, cold conditions help spread of the virus and increase their lifespan. “Even in western countries it spread due to prevalence of chilly conditions,” said Siddhartha Dalvi, a city-based microbiologist. “People would have to be more cautious. They should avoid visiting public places and follow basic hygiene,” he added. “The virus can survive well in temperatures between -40 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius. Hot conditions can prove detrimental for their existence and temperature variance between 35 and 37 degrees or more can destroy them,” Dalvi said. Echoing same sentiments, Mandeep Chaddha, deputy director of National Institute of Virology, said, “The influenza activity increases in monsoon. Lower temperatures help growth of virus.” “A couple of days ago, the conditions were dry and comparatively hot. But with clouds back, rainfall is also expected to increase,” said Medha Khole, director (weather forecasting), IMD. “Though it would not be a spectacular revival, but an increase in rainfall is expected in the state during next couple of days.”

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