30% rise in flu, Capital hospitals crowded

abu dhabi — The cold spell and rain have triggered a 30 per cent rise in seasonal virus in the UAE, with some Abu Dhabi hospitals seeing more than thousand patients just in last two weeks.

“There has been a significant increase in the number of Influenza A and B cases for last two weeks,” said Dr Rasmi Teresa Mathai, internal medicines specialist at Universal Hospital, Abu Dhabi.

The hospital said in the last two weeks alone, they have attend to around 1,000 patients with seasonal flu and respiratory infections.

Mathai said there is also a spate in chronic conditions like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD), which required hospitalisation.

“I can say that there is a 10 to 20 per cent increase in chronic asthma cases due to weather. The frequent exacerbation caused by the weather is leading to conditions like bronchitis, pneumonia and breathing difficulties. The spread of chicken pox virus is another adverse impact, and we have been seeing many patients.”

With the temperatures dipping up to 16 degrees, doctors say virus and bacteria are multiplying in the atmosphere.

‘This is a strange weather and residents are not used to it. That actually means good news to viruses and bacteria,” said Dr Trilok Chand, specialist respiratory medicine at Burjeel Hospital.

“There is a 60 per cent increase in influenza cases compared to last month,” said Dr Chand. He also stated there has been a 30 per cent increase in COPD patients this month. According to him, a considerable number of patients with chronic respiratory diseases needed hospitalisation.

Dr Dinesh Banur, head of children’s department at Royal NMC Hospital, said: “When temperature and humidity drops, viruses multiply. People keep their doors and windows closed and due to less ventilation, viruses spread easily.” He said people don’t get enough Vitamin D and Melatonin, making them more susceptible. So his advice to patients is to ventilate their rooms properly, drink plenty of liquids, wash hands properly and avoid crowded places.

Though patients are often advised to take flu vaccines, many residents complained it was not having the desired effect. Dr Chand said the flu jabs are not effective unless they are taken at least a month in advance. Also every year, new strains are found in viruses and hence vaccines do not offer 100 per cent protection.”

Dr Mathai said residents should take precaution by consuming fruits with Vitamin C and by increasing intake of food that has plenty of anti-oxidants. “It is better not to go out in this weather. If you have to, one should avoid crowded places like malls,” said Mathai.