Click to play videoNew Delhi: Pune and Bangalore have been the worst-hit from H1N1 Influenza (swine flu) cases and experts have been warning that low temperature will lead to a spurt in positive cases.
Even as rains over the last few days have brought a relief from heat but monsoons do not necessarily bring good news when it comes to the H1N1 Influenza pandemic.
Bangalore has seen more than 85 cases of H1N1 Influenza in the last one week and Pune more than 300 cases since mid July.
The reason of so many cases in the two cities is the temperature as virus thrives between 20-35 degrees.
"Influenza family of viruses like cold condition. H1N1 seems to be more infective in the weather prevalent in Bangalore and Pune," says Dr Purnima Parasarthi, Infectious Diseases Institues HOD.
World wide North America and Europe are also gearing up for the number of H1N1 Influenza cases to go up because of winter is approaching.
Countries like Australia and New Zealand in the southern hemisphere may have seen the worst of the intense spread over June and July, when it was winter in the Southern Hemisphere, the numbers raced from 100 past 1000 in just a week.
"The Influenza virus and not only H1N1 loves a weather which is colder and less humid. These viruses grow and multiply," claims Dr Suruchi, Pune Chest Institute.
But predictions aren't exact considering the virus came to light in spring, and spread through the summer in Mexico, the US, Canada, and the UK.
"International travel is maximum at New York. Naturally with so many people landing and going out... public being unaware any epidemic will grow," says CREMA Director Dr SM Sapthnekar.
At the very least, with more than 1.77 lakh people infected till date worldwide, rising awareness, and what scientists are hoping for - herd immunity - should mean that the next phase of the pandemic doesn't catch anyone napping.
It's not just the congenial weather in Pune and Bangalore that's helped the spread of the virus, but also poor contact tracing by local authorities.
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