6 swine flu deaths in 10 days alarm Hisar

Deepender Deswal

Tribune News Service

Hisar, December 28

The death of six persons, five of them women, because of swine flu in the past 10 days has alarmed the district health authorities, who have initiated steps to check its spread. The first death was reported in October.

So far, 39 patients have tested positive and have been hospitalised. Villages in Hansi and Narnaund, besides Hisar, are the worst affected. Sources claim owing to lack of facilities, a large number of patients have opted for private hospitals.

Civil Surgeon Dr Dayanand said the National Centre for Disease Control, New Delhi, had confirmed the deaths were due to swine flu. 

He said some of the deceased were in the high-risk category as they suffered from other ailments too. 

Deputy Commissioner Ashok Kumar Meena said the administration had started an awareness campaign to check the spread of the virus. 

Dr Naresh Jindal, Principal Disease Investigation Officer at Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Hisar, said the virus appeared to be spreading from human to human. 

“We haven’t found any case of disease among poultry or piggery anywhere in Hisar or elsewhere. This virus is air-borne and gets active during cold weather. Cleanliness is key for prevention,” he said.