H1N1 cases among children see slight uptick in Bengaluru, says Karnataka health minister

Bengaluru: Growing reports of H1N1 viral flu among children aged 10 to 15 have triggered concern among parents in Karnataka, prompting health minister U T Khader to review the situation and outline precautionary measures.

Addressing a press conference, Khader said there had been no significant rise in H1N1 cases across the state compared with last year. However, a slight increase in cases had been observed in Bengaluru, he said.

The minister urged parents not to ignore symptoms such as recurrent fever, intermittent chills, body ache, fatigue, weakness, cold and cough in children.

“Parents should consult a doctor at the earliest if such symptoms are noticed,” Khader said, advising families to visit the nearest hospital or clinic and seek appropriate medical treatment.

He also cautioned against self-medication and said medicines should not be administered to children without medical advice.

The health department will soon issue fresh guidelines for schools and parents on measures to prevent the spread of H1N1, the minister said.

Children who are unwell should not be sent to school and should instead be kept at home while undergoing treatment, Khader said. This, he added, would help reduce the risk of infection spreading to other students.

Khader also asked school managements not to declare holidays abruptly following reports of H1N1 cases. Instead, schools should inform the health department so that appropriate preventive and control measures can be taken.

The minister reiterated that parents and schools should remain vigilant while avoiding unnecessary panic, noting that the overall number of H1N1 cases in Karnataka has not shown a major year-on-year increase.