Experts suggest to be careful as April-September marks flu season

In Bangladesh, the flu virus season runs from April to September, according to medical professionals. 

After examining data from a year‍‍`s worth of influenza surveillance, researchers from the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) and icddr,b made the decision. 

This data was presented on Wednesday at the "Influenza Surveillance in Bangladesh" conference held at the IEDCR Auditorium in Mohakhali.

The lecture featured a presentation of the findings from the nationwide influenza surveillance program, which has been running at several hospitals since 2007. 

With technical support from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US-CDC), this surveillance is being carried out in Bangladesh.

The surveillance is currently running in 19 hospitals across the country.  The surveillance aims to understand the transmission and seasonal variation of influenza virus in Bangladesh, as well as to identify different types of influenza virus.

According to an analysis of surveillance data, Bangladesh experiences a spike in influenza infection incidence between April and September.

Associate scientist of icddr,b Dr Fahmida Chowdhury gives insight into the pattern of flu transmission worldwide. 

She said: "Every year in the world, 290,000 to 650,000 people die of influenza virus."

Director of IEDCR and National Influenza Centre Professor DrTahmina Shirin presented the results obtained from influenza surveillance in Bangladesh.

Influenza was found in about 11% of the more than 115,000 patients who came to the hospital for treatment with complaints of short-term fever and cough. 

Director of IEDCR and National Influenza Centre Professor Dr Tahmina Shirin presented the results obtained from influenza surveillance in Bangladesh.

Influenza was found in about 11% of the more than 115,000 patients who came to the hospital for treatment with complaints of short-term fever and cough. 

Speaking as the chief guest at the seminar, Dr Meerjady Sabrina Flora, additional director general of Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), stressed the possibility of a pandemic of influenza and prevention of unnecessary use of antibiotics.

She said that if symptoms like fever, cold, cough appear during the “ongoing flu” season, then one must consult a doctor before taking antibiotics, so that resistance to the medicine cannot be created. 

They recommend getting the influenza virus vaccine or flu-shot between February and March every year in Bangladesh to ensure maximum protection against the influenza virus.

In addition, they suggest that healthcare providers, the elderly, and patients with chronic diseases should be prioritized for influenza vaccination.