Early swine flu baffles health authorities

Pratibha Chauhan

Tribune News Service

Shimla, May 18

Baffled at the outbreak of swine flu in the state during the summer months instead of winters, the state government has asked doctors at the Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) to undertake a study to find out the reasons for the change in the timings of outbreak of the disease.

Last week only there were reports that many patients in Kupvi area of Chopal in Shimla district are in the grip of a mysterious disease with high-grade fever. All speculation about the disease were set to rest today as the two boys from Kupvi under treatment at the Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) tested positive for swine flu. Following this, a team of doctors from IGMC has been rushed to Kupvi area to treat the patients and make them aware of the disease and the precautions that need to be taken.

“We have asked doctors at the IGMC to undertake a study to look into the reasons why cases of swine flu are coming in summers though normally till last year, they used to pour in mostly in the winters,” said Health and Family Welfare Minister Kaul Singh Thakur. The doctors will visit the endemic areas and find the reason for this sudden change in the timing of the disease and if this is any strain of swine flu.

The two boys (14 and 15 years) from Shivdhar in Kupvi, who tested positive for swine flu at the IGMC, were referred from Chopal. A 57-year-old patient Avinash Patil from Jalgaon in Maharashtra died yesterday at the IGMC within 24 hours of his being admitted there. So far, there have been four swine flu deaths in the state, including one lady from Sirmour and two in Kangra. The total number of positive swine flu cases in the entire state has touched 12.

Thakur said all the Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) in districts had been asked to maintain surveillance and deal with every case of swine flu with utmost care. “They have been asked to refer all such cases showing symptoms of swine flu to the IGMC and Dr Rajendra Prasad Medical College for treatment,” he said. He said directions have been issued to provide adequate supply of the medicines required to treat swine flu at all government hospitals.

Swine flu, often referred to as a mysterious disease with high grade fever, has afflicting various parts of the state for the last almost a decade. This year alone there have been 12 positive cases and four deaths within one month’s time.

Two boys test positive

• As per reports, many persons in Kupvi area of Chopal in Shimla district are in the grip of a disease with high fever. 
• Two boys from Kupvi under treatment at the IGMC were then tested positive for swine flu. 
• A team of doctors has been rushed to the Kupvi area to treat the patients and apprise them of the precautions that need to be taken.

Death toll 4; number of cases 12

• So far, there have been four swine flu deaths in the state.
• Death of one woman from Sirmour and two in Kangra were reported earlier.
• A 57-year-old patient, Avinash Patil from Jalgaon in Maharashtra, died on Wednesday at the IGMC. 
• The total number of positive swine flu cases in the entire state has touched 12.