E

ven as the Government today confirmed country’s first home grown, indigenous death from H1N1 flu in Pune, we take a moment (or may be even two) to reflect upon things that went wrong, steps that could still be taken to save lives, and precautions that we need to take in order to prevent such calamities from striking again in future.

A bright spark extinguished in its infancy

Earlier today (Monday), Health Secretary Naresh Dayal told press persons that H1N1 (Hemagglutinin¹ and Neuraminidase¹) has put its first victim, a 14-year-old-girl from Pune, to death. A girl that could have been an engineer, a pilot, a dhoban (washerwoman), a street vendor selling peanuts in local trains with a nesciently misplaced pallu of her sari or may be even a risqué wannabe item girl who could not make it past the casting couch of our major league film producers/directors. But, it was not to be. Let alone all these exciting future prospects, she could not even be useful for what she was well accoutered even now – to be a statuary rape victim. Alas, the cruel iron fist of destiny leaves so much potential unfulfilled. So much latent talent unexploited. So much abeyant eventualities unbefell.

A cause for concern

Yes its true, the iron fist of destiny is supreme and at times unyielding. But are we not responsible for it being the Queen Regnant in this kingdom of life? Are we not to blame for putting a 14-year-old potential statuary rape victim under the iron fist of destiny? Could we not have saved a life from being exterminated at the larval stage by doing some basic things? Let’s analyse.

Causes for spread of H1B1: the high risk groups

There are certain high-risk groups that include children smaller than 5 years of age, elderly older than 65 years, pregnant women, people with diabetes, the ones with chronic lung disease, heart disease and the ones with immuno deficiency (HIV) and also people who are obese. These high risk groups not only are the best receptacles of  H1B1 virus, but also act as best infecting agents. Its no wonder that in the country of the elderly, viz. the United States of America, the virus created so much havoc. And it won’t be anything out of the ordinary, if in our country, because of our large young population, we were to emulate the USA.

The solution lies in eliminating high risk

The solution to the problem of spreading of H1B1 virus lies in eliminating high risk. Quarantining the patients is apparently not doing enough to prevent the spread of the virus. We need to strike at the root of the problem, instead of trying to hackle away the branches, which quarantining the known cases of H1B1 (apparently) is. These victims of H1B1 require our sympathy and love, and not detachment.

Instead, the need of the hour is to eliminate high risk groups, as listed above. With culling of children smaller than 5 years of age and elderly older than 65 years (who anyway don’t do anything productive in the society), problem will disappear as soon it (the culling) began. The solution to a problem always lies in dealing with it, rather than sweeping it under the carpet. We hope this time around, Government tries to take the bull by the horns, instead of trying to catch a twig to latch on to.

Related posts:

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2. Worlds First Dynamic Swine Flu Death Counter
3. Obama announces measures to broker peace between India and Pakistan
4. I am an Iron Man, not Silicon Man – Advani
5. IPL out of India – Coincidence or Conspiracy (part 2)

Tags: 2009, America, Epidemic, India, Problems Facing India, Swine Flu

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