Pandemic Influenza Planning and Response in India, 1949-2009

Abstract

"For last couple of years, the subcontinent of India has witnessed a number of influenza epidemic outbreaks. History reveals influenza epidemic to be a constant but neglected companion of India. Considering the repeated occurrences of the event on Indian soil, including influenza A H1N1 (2012-13) after 2009-10 pandemic event, a check to the planning measures has been done at national level. A literature survey on the initiative measures, planning accomplishments etc. reveals that it is only after the emergence of A H5N1 (2005), national health authorities have began planning efforts to mitigate and respond to influenza outbreaks. This paper outlines the evolution of Indian pandemic planning that can be traced in the research literature, summarize the accomplishments, and explain the importance of pandemic planning in India. Pandemic influenza (or influenza pandemic), as it is commonly known, emerges, evolves, attacks, and sways a large part of world declaring public health emergency in a short span. Several outbreak events such as SARS (2003), Avian influenza A H5N1 (2005), and H1N1 (2009) have demonstrated the need of international concern for public health emergency and had established the value of planning in advance. Preparedness planning in India is found to be at its nascent stage and it needs further improvement at multiple aspects to tackle the future public health crises, to rectify ethical failures."