Swine flu patient dies at PGI

Chandigarh, July 20

A 42-year-old swine flu patient, Sham Veram, succumbed to the virus at the PGI here this evening.

Veram, a resident of Sector 37, was rushed to the PGI on July 14 after the Health Department confirmed that he was suffering from swine flu.

He had first visited Government Multi-Specialty Hospital, Sector 16, on July 12. Gagan Aggarwal, nodal officer of the Health Department, said they had learnt about the the death of the swine flu patient through media reports, “However, we have not yet received any official communication,” said Aggarwal.

The department had found that the patient had a travel history. Dr Rakesh Kashyap, Director, Health Services, Chandigarh, said Sham had travelled to Mukerian and then to Pathankot before falling sick. Sources said the department had started the prophylactic treatment of the staff working with the deceased. Officials have issued an advisory requesting people not to visit crowded areas and cover their face while sneezing and coughing. The officials are conducting field surveys to keep tabs on the spread of the influenza. — TNS