Swine flu grips state, toll 27; Patiala worst affected

CHANDIGARH: Swine flu has tightened its grip over the state, with a total of 188 confirmed cases reported so far. Chief Minister and Health Minister’s home district Patiala is the worst affected. As per the report prepared by the State’s Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme, apart from 421 suspected cases, 188 confirmed cases of H1N1 have been reported. Besides, 27 deaths have been reported so far.

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 30

Swine flu has tightened its grip over the state, with a total of 188 confirmed cases reported so far.

Chief Minister and Health Minister’s home district Patiala is the worst affected. As per the report prepared by the State’s Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme, apart from 421 suspected cases, 188 confirmed cases of H1N1 have been reported. Besides, 27 deaths have been reported so far.

In district-wise breakup, Patiala is worst hit with 32 confirmed cases and three deaths, followed by Ludhiana (25 and six), SAS Nagar (20 and one), Sangrur (17 and two), and Ropar (11 confirmed cases).

Besides, the Health Department has given flu treatment to over 2,000 people on the basis of symptoms, although no diagnosis was done.

Health Minister Brahm Mohindra said the outbreak of Influenza A (swine flu) was being reported in the entire country. “The northern states are seeking an upsurge due to continuing cold weather conditions,” he said.

Experts are analysing the cause of deaths. Preliminary findings have revealed that most of the deaths have taken place due to co-morbid conditions. On state’s readiness to deal with the situation, an official said: “Isolation wards have been set up in three government medical colleges, 22 district hospitals and 41 subdivision hospitals of the state. Ventilator facility for serious cases is available in three government colleges and district hospital, Jalandhar.” Testing of H1N1 is being done free of cost at PGI, GMC Patiala and Amritsar.

Last year, the state had witnessed 47 confirmed cases and 11 deaths, while in 2017, a total of 239 cases and 76 deaths were reported.

Jalandhar man latest victim

Jalandhar: A 26-year-old resident of Shaheed Udham Singh Nagar here succumbed to Swine Flu infection on Monday. His family said Gaurav alias Goru was unwell for the past two weeks. He was recently shifted to DMC Hospital, Ludhiana, where he succumbed to the H1N1 virus. This is the first case of swine flu death in the district. The family said Gaurav was to get married on February 14. They alleged that the government was proving to be a complete failure in tackling the disease. TNS