Two more die of swine flu in Mumbai

Mumbai: Two more swine flu deaths have been reported in the city, taking the death toll to five this year. The latest victims are a women (30) from Nalasopara and Thane. The Nalasopara resident was admitted on May 16 to civic-run Nair hospital but succumbed to infection on May 22. The other woman too died in Thane on May 22.

Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) executive health officer Dr Padmaja Keskar said, “The Nalasopara woman was infected with H1N1 virus, and had hypertension and a history of high-grade fever with chills, cough, chest pain, and shortness of breath. She had been vomiting since a few days.”

So far this year, 215 persons have succumbed to swine flu in the state. Last year, 25 swine flu deaths were reported in the state. State surveillance officer Dr Pradip Awate said, “The toll in the state has reached 215, and more than 8 lakh people have been screened. We have obtained more than 28,000 Tami flu doses and made them available across the state and to medical facilities.”

Asked if the five deaths due to swine flu in Mumbai was cause for alarm, Dr Awate said, “There is no reason for any alarm in Mumbai. Cases of swine flu are being seen in much larger number in other areas like Nashik, Pune, Aurangabad, Amravati and Ahmedabad, which are the worst-affected parts.”

Asked about precautionary measures taken to curb the swine flu threat, Dr Awate said, “We have already set up screening centres in tentative regions. Our state is the first state to start the Tami flu vaccination programme after the virus spread across the state. We have started vaccinating patients including those from high-risk groups such as pregnant women, diabetics and people with high blood pressure.”

Meanwhile, Dr Keskar said, “We have already started an awareness drive in our hospitals and health post. The victims are mostly outside of Mumbai but if symptoms of flu are noted, the patient should immediately seek medical assistance.”

Swine flu is a respiratory disease caused by influenza viruses. It infects the respiratory tract resulting in barking cough, decreased appetite, and nasal secretions, and can be easily transmitted through the air, skin, saliva and contaminated surfaces.

According to Dr Om Shrivastav, consultant for infectious diseases, “With change in climatic conditions, the virus can affect those who are at high risk including the elderly, children, diabetics, and cardiac patients. Patients need to be more cautious. They should consult the doctor if there are any symptoms of flu.”