Mumbai: A week after the Ganpati festival ended on September 3, state health officials announced that their worst fears had come true: the intermingling of people had resulted in a spurt in cases of swine flu across Maharashtra. Twenty persons died in that week, and the number of people on the ventilator (artificial respirator) shot up to 12.
   With Navratri revelry set to kick off on Saturday, swine flu fears linger. Public interest advertisements have sprung up on commuter trains and other places, advising people to avoid shaking hands and to cough into a handkerchief.
   A few days ago, the World Health Organisation observed that there’s an “increasing trend” of swine flu transmission in India.
   Will the fear of the H1N1 virus affect turnout during the nine-nightfestivities? Considering that people largely ignored the state advisory to avoid crowded places during Govinda (August 14) and Ganpati festival, public health experts doubt that H1N1 will prevent people from turning up at various Navratri pandals.
   However, they advise caution. “The H1N1 virus is here to stay for sometime. In a crowded and closed environment, there’s a higher risk of contracting the virus,” said Dr Pramod Niphadkar of St George’s Hospital. “People should take precautions such as not shaking hands but greeting each other with namaste,” he adds.
   Not surprising then, that invitees to his son’s engagement ceremony on Sunday will also receive a pamphlet on swine flu prevention.
   Civic executive health officer Dr Jairaj Thanekar is not worried. “The weather is warmer and the virus cannot survive in this heat,” he said.
   Dr Thanekar also says the city may actually have gained from the crowding at Ganpati pandals. “It’s the biggest festival in terms of crowding. The number of people who thronged to see the Lalbaugcha Raja was phenomenal. Many may have been exposed to the virus, leading to the development of some degree of herd immunity,” he said.
   Dr Hemant Thacker, who consults at Jaslok Hospital, is categorical that the H1N1 virus “is in remission”. He says, “While Mumbai has had a bad year healthwise so far, I don’t buy the theory that that one will court trouble by intermingling.”
   However, the doctors are sure about one thing: people will have to brace themselves for a rough winter. “The time to worry is October-November, when temperatures will slide,” said Dr Thanekar.
   Dr Niphadkar suggests numerous tips to prevent the spread of H1N1 infection, which he divides into five categories—breath care, touch care, nutrition, stress care, and exercise.
   On breath care, Dr Niphadkar suggests the use of masks in public places. Cloth masks must be washed daily, he notes. He advises staying three to six feet away from people with respiratory infections. Indoor spaces must be as naturally ventilated and sunlit as possible, he advises.
   With regard to physical contact, Dr Niphadkar advocates thorough hand-washing, and regular cleaning of shared phones, keyboards and pens—all possible sources of infection. He also advocates that people avoid shaking hands and touching their nose and lips. His nutrition advice is a high-protein diet that includes lots of liquids and fresh produce.
   Dr Niphadkar notes the immunity-boosting properties of stress management and adequate rest, as well as of exercise such as yogasanas.