Yamunanagar man dies of swine flu

Chandigarh, June 22

A 49-year-old Yamunanagar resident died of swine flu at a private hospital in the tricity last night.

Ishwar Chand had high fever for the past few days and was brought to the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32, on June 16. “The family was told that there was no ventilator, so the patient was taken to the PGI. However, there too, no ventilator was available. Though the family does not have a sound financial background, it took him to a private hospital, where he died last night,” said Raj Kumar Pal, a relative.

In April, a two-year-old boy from Faridkot died of swine flu at the PGI. Earlier, a 32-year-old man from Kalka had died of swine flu at the GMCH. A Mohali resident had also tested positive for swine flu. So far, no case of swine flu has been reported from the city this season.

Dr Rakesh Kumar Kashyap, Director, Health Services (DHS), Chandigarh, was not available for comments. A Health Department official said the required medicines were available here. — TNS

Symptoms

Fever, runny nose, sore throat, congestion, extreme breathlessness, loss of appetite, pain in the chest while breathing, lethargy and vomiting.

Those at high risk

Other than pregnant women and children under five years of age, people over 50 years of age are at a high risk. Those with respiratory disorders like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and with compromised immunity because of cancer, kidney disease and uncontrolled diabetes are most vulnerable.