First swine flu death reported from Patiala

Tribune News Service

Patiala, January 8

In the first case of swine flu death reported from the district this year, a middle-aged woman of Patiala has succumbed to the disease. The deceased, who hailed from Jandoli village in the district, was admitted to a government hospital from where she was referred to Chandigarh.

The 50-year-old woman was admitted to the Government Medical College and Hospital in Sector 32, Chandigarh. Health officials said the woman had taken treatment from a private hospital after which she was taken to the government hospital in Rajpura division of the district. The patient was shifted to the government hospital in Chandigarh on January 6.

The health authorities in Patiala said they had disbursed Tamiflu medicine among those who came in contact with the deceased.

“We have given medicine to all those who came in contact with the deceased. The deceased woman’s cremation was held in accordance with the norms and instructions of the health authorities. We have sufficient stock of Tamiflu, masks and other items required as precautionary measures. Besides, separate ventilators have been kept for treatment of swine flu patients at Government Rajindra Hospital,” said district epidemiologist Gurmeet Singh.