Fearing second phase of H1N1 pandemic may spread in winter, citizens turn hygiene freaks and once more splurge on sanitisers, masks, fruits

A little fear can prove to be good for health. The second phase of the swine flu pandemic, which could occur as the temperatures drop, is turning Puneites into hygiene freaks. City chemists, fruit sellers and doctors claim,u00a0 Puneites are splurging again on sanitisers, masks and fruits to improve immunity as the death toll has almost touched the 100 mark.

Seema Kasbe (35), a resident of Vishrantwadi, is worried about her daughter Mithila (8), and family's health after the swine flu alert. "Media reports claim the second bout will be more infections. There was a slack in maintaining hygiene when the H1N1 virus had subsided, but now I fear for my daughter," said Kasbe.

Cold shiver
City doctors and chemists said that swine flu fears have aggravated in the minds of people and hygiene has become the utmost priority. "In August, chemists sold 20,000 masks and 2,000 hand sanitiser bottles, but sales dipped after the fear subsided. However in last week, sales have picked up," said Paras Jain, secretary, Pune District Chemists and Druggists Association. Jain estimated that nearly 50 per cent of August sales have been restored. "Last week we sold 3,000 masks," added Jain.

"People have become wary again, as the death toll has almost touched 100 and winter may bring a second phase," said Dr Vivek Billampelly, senior member of General Practioners Association.

More caution pleasu00a0
Dr Devendra Shirole, former president of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) hoped this knee-jerk reaction would last longer.u00a0

u00a0"Every time there is fear of death, people gear into action. Let's hope this time the attention on preventive measures lasts longer."

"The demand for fruits has increased by 10 to 15 per cent, as doctors say citrus fruits protect against swine flu. May be this is the reason why business is good," said V K Ghule, in-charge of fruits and vegetables section of Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC), Pune.