Swine flu can turn more lethal in winter:Scientists

As the influenza A (H1N1) virus spreads across the globe, scientists in India are worried over the possibility of the second wave of the pandemic being more virulent. "There is much more to this virus than we understand, and nobody knows how lethal it could be in future. Presently, the hot summer is at our rescue. During the rainy and winter season the virus is likely to spread in a big way," senior epidemiologist Narendra Arora said. . "Every season 10 percent of the population is affected with common flu, and if the number in the coming season rises to 25-30 percent then we need to worry.According to the health ministry, the present strain of the virus (H1N1) is a mild one and is reacting to the anti-flu medicine Tamiflu. The ministry said there are chances that the second wave could be more potent. However, a second wave of the flu will be more potent and we are in the process of developing a vaccine for the flu.Shiv Lal, assistant scientist at the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), said: "Pigs are an ideal mixing vessel for the virus and there is a possibility of the virus changing as it circulates. We have to watch the virus closely. Scientists across the globe are working to develop a vaccine for the flu that is likely to be effective during the second wave." The World Health Organisation has reported 44,287 laboratory confirmed cases of influenza A (H1N1) infection from 89 countries as on June 17. There have been 180 deaths so far.