Nepal battles ‘Twindemic’

NEPAL: Amid soaring COVID-19 infections in Nepal, numerous cases of H1N1 virus, also known as swine flu virus infection, have been reported from many places as health experts call for strict surveillance measures across the country.

At least 57 cases of H1N1 known as swine flu have been reported in the last two months and especially at a time health authorities throughout the country have been dealing with the fourth wave of Covid, the Kathmandu Post reported.

The chances of misdiagnosis and negligence could be high during this time, which could lead to delayed treatment and even deaths, the health experts said.

Several Public health experts have warned that the H1N1 virus along with COVID-19 could cause a “twindemic” in the Himalayan country. According to the World Health Organisation’s Global Influenza Surveillance, at least 57 cases of H1N1 infection have been reported since June 6 and the infection of 55 cases of AH3 virus also known as Hong Kong flu have been also reported in the same period.

The symptoms of the H1N1 virus and Omicron variant of coronavirus overlap with each other, which can lead to misdiagnosis and cause confusions. However, in both the infections, the patients suffer from fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headache, vomiting and diarrhoea, and others.

– THE HINDUSTAN TIMES