Swine flu claims 2 more lives in Indore

INDORE: H1N1 influenza claimed two more lives in the city on Wednesday taking the tally of swine flu death to 11 this year. The deceased were 47-year-old man and 65-year-old woman.
The man, a resident of Ujjain, was admitted to a private hospital on January 21. His blood sample tested positive for H1N1 on January 20 after which he was undergoing treatment.
The other deceased, 65-year-old woman, a resident of Depalpur, was admitted on January 29, and her H1N1 positive report was received on February 5.She has complication and was declared dead on Wednesday.
IDSP officer Dr Amit Malakar said, “Swine flu cases have taken a surge this year due to decrease in temperature. In 2018, IDSP found just 17 suspected samples in January month of which only one was found H1N1 positive and the same patient later died.”
Till now, 218 H1N1 suspected samples have been sent by the health department to Bhopal AIIMS for tests of which 31 have been found positive. 25 reports are yet to be received, Dr Malakar added.
11 swine flu deaths have been recorded this year including eight in Indore district and one in each - Mandsaur, Ujjain and Dewas district.
Eighteen hospitals of the city report to IDSP about swine flu cases as only these are permitted to treat virus infected patients. Other hospitals are directed to refer patient to permissible hospitals. Dr Malakar said, “We have directed all private hospitals to report to IDSP if they find any swine flu suspected patient.”