Specialist suggest genotyping virus strain

With the rise in cases of H1N1 influenza in the country, experts have urged the government to conduct thorough analysis of swine flu virus to determine if it has a potential of turning into an epidemic. Conducting genetic analysis of the virus, experts say, could help policy makers understand if the virus is similar to the one that is wreaking havoc in India

A total of 48 patients have been diagnosed with swine flu in the country so far while a woman succumbed to the disease on Saturday in Kathmandu Model Hospital. Swine flu was reported in India in early 2015. The disease affected more than 20,000 people and claimed over a 1,000 lives.

Dr Nabin Rayamajhi, virologist at the Patan Academy of Health Sciences, said the genotyping of the virus will help them compare the present virulence with the one reported in the past to determine its strength. Genotyping is a process of looking into the genetic make-up of the virus to understand the mutation it has undergone over the years.

Once the genotyping of 40 to 50 sequences are completed, Dr Rayamajhi said, analysis of the available data could help them compare its virulence.

Government officials, however, claim that since they already know that it is the same virus as seen in previous years, there is no need to "waste time and money" in genotyping.

"We have other things to take care of. From the way the new cases were detected this year, we are sure that it is a weaker strain than that of previous years," said Dr Geeta Shakya, director of National Public Health Laboratory.

Dr Shakya said in 2014, a total of 40 percent cases were detected positive while this time only 36 percent have tested positive.

Experts say people with chronic respiratory disease, diabetes, cardiac disease, pregnant women, and children below two years are vulnerable to swine flu. If they exhibit any flu-symptoms, experts have suggested them to immediately consult physicians.

H1N1 influenza had claimed thousands of lives around the world in 2009.