The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : Swine flu

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Saturday, Aug 15, 2009
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Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Swine flu

It is four months since swine flu entered our country. It is a matter of shame that we allowed the epidemic to spread owing to a lack of sufficient planning in advance. Doctors of Indian origin form a large group across the world. They must come forward to help our doctors and other health officials to contain the pandemic.

M. Dhinesh Panneer,

Tirunelveli

* * *

The number of deaths caused by swine flu is lesser in India only because the virus entered our country late. We are in the earlier phase of the epidemic. The number of affected is on the rise and will continue to rise in view of the size and density of our population, the socio-economic conditions and the lack of adequate health care. The problems will increase if and when the virus spreads to non-urban areas. One hopes the government will evolve a standard protocol to deal with A(H1N1).

Ch. Sri Krishna Appaji,

Narasapur

* * *

The best way to allay the anxiety of people is to educate them on the origin of swine flu, mode of transmission and spread, effective preventive measures, and the method to tackle it if a person contracts it.

M.J. Kuruvilla,

Kochi

* * *

The first line of defence against contagious diseases like swine flu lies in creating awareness through the mass media about its spread, and prevention through appropriate, scientific methods. The panic that we witness over swine flu is unwarranted.

M. Jeyaram,

Sholavandan

* * *

Evidently, swine flu has frightened the entire nation. Although the government woke up to the seriousness of the virus fairly late, it is doing its best. It should extend prevention and treatment to every part of the country. We could not prevent its import. But we should contain it as soon as possible.

Savyasachi Kishore Mishra,

Bhubaneswar

* * *

Swine flu is not a deadly disease, and we can prevent it by taking adequate precautions. But some sections of the media portray swine flu as a dreadful disease, creating panic among the masses. They should handle this as a serious issue and try to create awareness among the people instead of blowing it out of proportion.

M. Azarudeen,

Chennai

* * *

If swine flu is spreading anywhere rapidly, it is in the electronic media. Because it came to India from developed countries. One hopes the media will be responsible, not sensational. Millions of poor die every day of cholera, typhoid, hepatitis, dengue, meningitis, malnutrition, and food poisoning.

Why don’t the television cameras and correspondents concentrate on those who cannot afford even two square meals, let alone medicines? They die unattended, unheard, and unseen.

Tariq Kidwai,

Lucknow

* * *

I do not know why there is such a hue and cry over swine flu. The electronic media talk only about the deaths and seem to be in no mood to highlight the cases of those who have recovered from swine flu. The mortality rate is higher among the aged, diabetic, and asthma patients. Otherwise, it is just like common flu. The media should disseminate information on the precautions to be taken — washing hands regularly, keeping good personal hygiene, avoiding crowded places, etc. We will surely develop natural immunity against the A(H1N1) virus soon.

N. Raja,

Madurai

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