Gujarat Worst Hit By Swine Flu In North India, 242 Dead Since January

12 people have died in Gujarat in August because of swine flu, taking the death toll to 242 since January this year. The number of new cases of swine flu that have been recorded amounts to 228 as of 18 August.

The bulletin talks of four deaths each in Ahmedabad and Vadodara city, and one death each in Ahmedabad district, Mehsana, Gandhinagar city and Patan district.

Since January this year, 2,500 patients infected with the H1N1 virus were admitted to various hospitals. Out of them, 959 were cured, 1,299 are still undergoing treatment while 242 have died, the bulletin said.

Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on 17 August, visited civil hospitals in Surat, Rajkot, Vadodara and Ahmedabad city to take stock of the swine flu situation.The CM reportedly said that he had requested the Centre to send a team of medical experts to help prevent the spread of swine flu in the state.

Amidst the rising cases of swine flu in the state, the state government has still not stopped arranging public programmes that invite massive crowds, some of whom can be potential carriers of the H1N1 virus and which might lead to the virus spreading far and wide.

However, Gujarat is not the only state that has been affected by the onslaught of the H1N1 virus.

Rajasthan

In neighbouring Rajasthan, the viral infection has claimed 68 lives from January to 17 August. Out of these, 64 patients were from Rajasthan, and four belonged to other States.

The total number of samples collected during this period was 2,558, and 590 of them were positive. 16 deaths were reported from Jaipur, while Kota recorded 7 deaths and Ajmer 4.

Maharashtra

Swine flu has led to the death of about 418 people in the state since January. Lack of awareness among people and lack of detection are the primary reasons of the virus spreading so fast.

Individuals in the high-risk group viz. senior citizens, children below 5 years, people with compromised immune systems due to a disease such as AIDS and Tuberculosis, pregnant women and people with chronic illnesses such as asthma, heart disease, diabetes mellitus, or neuromuscular disease are more susceptible to the disease.

Pune district reported 296 deaths Nashik district 49, Thane district 48, Kolhapur district 32, Nagpur district 39 Aurangabad district 35, Mumbai District 29 and Latur district 5. Maharashtra has seen a rise in the deaths on account of swine flu – in 2016; it was around 25.

Punjab

15 persons have died till 17 August. Out of 278 suspected cases of swine flu that were reported, 75 turned out to be positive for swine flu. ‘Flu centres’ have been set up in government hospitals so that patients having a cough, cold and fever report at this designated place.

The state health department has identified 277 isolation beds in government medical colleges, and in the district and sub-divisional hospitals, and 268 beds in private hospitals. Nodal officers and rapid response teams would also be there to hasten up the service required to be given.

Delhi and the state of Odisha have also seen rising number of deaths due to swine flu.

Swine flu

H1N1 flu is also known as swine flu. It is called swine flu because, in the past, the people who caught it had direct contact with pigs. That changed several years ago when a new virus emerged that spread among people who had not been near pigs.

When individuals who have it a cough or sneeze, they spray tiny drops of the virus into the air. If you come in contact with these drops, touch a surface (like a doorknob or sink) where the drops landed, or move something an infected person has recently touched, you can catch H1N1 swine flu.The symptoms can include a cough, fever, sore throat, stuffy or a runny nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue.

The Logical Indian community urges the concerned authorities to take the necessary steps to prevent the further spread of the virus. Also, it should aim at providing the best possible medical amenities for those affected with the disease.