Swine flu claims another life

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 9

A 36-year-old resident of Kaimbwala village here died today at the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32, due to swine flu. He was earlier admitted to Government Multi-Specialty Hospital (GMSH), Sector 16, yesterday from where he was referred to the GMCH late last night after his condition deteriorated.

This is the third death due to swine flu in the tricity. Besides, two deaths of patients from Punjab were reported from the PGI. A 42-year-old woman had died late on Wednesday night at the PGI. She was admitted to the hospital on February 2 in a critical condition.

Earlier, a 49-year-old man from Sector 70 in Mohali had died due to swine flu. On February 1, a 27-year-old woman, a resident of Banur, had died due to swine flu. She was referred to the PGI from Gian Sagar Medical College in Banur. On January 19, a 35-year-old native of Khuda Lahora, posted in Karnal had died of swine flu at the PGI.

Experts said the cases were not epidemiologically linked but the cold weather was conducive for the growth of the H1N1 virus. Rising mercury could easily kill the virus, said a physician at the GMSH.

“We have complete stocks of tamiflu (oral tablets) for curing swine flu patients,” said the Director, Health Services, UT, Dr VK Gagneja.

On Saturday, two patients — a 64-year-old man from Mohali and a 27-year-old resident of Panchkula — were admitted to the PGI after testing positive for swine flu. The PGI had received 12 patients with swine flu-like symptoms on Thursday. Three others had also tested positive for swine flu. They were from various parts of Punjab.