Dera Bassi sees 92% dip in swine flu cases

Satinder Pal Singh

Dera Bassi, December 17

A latest report of the Health Department has brought out that swine flu cases have seen a sharp decline in the Dera Bassi sub-division this year as compared with last year.

In 2017, 13 cases were recorded and this year only one case has been reported so far — a dip of 92 per cent. Last year, four persons had also died of swine flu.

In 2016, only four cases and three deaths were reported. And a before that, six cases and one death were reported.

Mohali Civil Surgeon Rita Bhardwaj said that earlier this year, Health Department officials took cognisance of 13 cases and four deaths in 2017, and convened meetings with local officials to chart out a plan of action to contain the spread of H1N1 virus.

“The district Health Department had also issued an advisory to city residents as well as guidelines for schools, colleges and other educational institutions to curb the spread of H1N1 between November and February,” he said.

The advisory urged people with fever and sore throat to limit their contact with others, and seek immediate medical help in case one had high fever and severe cough. It has to be ensured that the care provider wears face a mask and washes hands regularly.

District Nodal Officer Deepti Sharma said people suffering from swine flu had been advised to wash their hands frequently and not to touch eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

Symptoms

Fever, lethargy, headache, cough, sore throat and nausea. Most people recover within a week, but those with low immunity and heart problems, or suffering from asthma, lung disease, diabetes or cancer risk serious complications and even death from multi-organ failure.

Fact file

Year Cases Deaths

• 2018 1 0
• 2017 13 4
• 2016 4 3
• 2015 6 1