Mumbai: Swine flu (H1N1) cases have been reported from eight districts in Maharashtra, and 11 people succumbed to the virus between January 1 and January 24. In total, 66 cases have been reported from the state, and more are expected, stated the state’s health officials. The state’s health minister, who is handling additional charge, stated that the five-point programme for prevention of swine flu should be implemented in the state.
The data accessed by The Asian Age revealed that the spread of H1N1 has been aggressive in Nagpur, where 29 cases of swine flu were reported till January 24. Other districts that have seen swine flu cases include Nashik (10), Kolhapur (9), Pune (8), Akola (4), Pimpri Chinchwad (3), Thane (2), and Solapur (1). As for deaths, the air-borne ailment has claimed five lives in Nagpur and three each in Pune and Kolhapur.
State health minister Eknath Shinde said, “I have conducted a review meeting regarding these cases. We have administered 1,77,000 people with Oseltamivir tablets and the number of patients affected with H1N1 virus is 66.”
He added, “Currently, there is cold weather in the state. In some areas, rainfall has been experienced. Since this environment is advantageous for the spread of the swine flu virus, the number of patients is increasing. Usually, between July and September and during February and March patients affected by this type of virus are seen. This year, however, due to the change in weather, cases were observed in January.”
A state health official said a swine flu treatment facility is available in all districts and state and civic-run hospitals. “Citizens should take the advice of medicos if their cold and fever last more than two days. Private doctors should also prescribe Oseltamivir tablets for those suffering from a cold for more than two days,” he said.
At present, the condition of five patients diagnosed with the contagion is critical and they have been put on ventilator support at various hospitals.
