Swine flu claims 3 more lives in Delhi, toll reaches 9
The Capital reported three more swine flu (H1N1) deaths on Friday, taking the toll to nine this year.
The Capital reported three more swine flu (H1N1) deaths on Friday, taking the toll to nine this year.
Two deaths were reported from BL Kapur hospital on Pusa Road and Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute in Paschim Vihar. The Directorate of Health Services (DHS) confirmed the two deaths due to swine flu on Friday, while Lok Nayak hospital confirmed the third one.
A 23-year-old pregnant woman from Krishna Nagar admitted to Lok Nayak hospital on February 3, contracted the disease the next day.
“She was admitted to the hospital for the delivery of her child but she developed symptoms of swine flu the next day. It was confirmed that she had swine flu (H1N1) on February 9 and she died on the 12th. She was shifted to the ICU from the maternity ward on February 6 and was kept there for six days before she succumbed to the disease. We could not send the report to the DHS earlier because of a networking problem. We sent them the report Thursday,” said Dr Siddharth Ramji, medical superintendent, Lok Nayak hospital.
Though Lok Nayak hospital confirmed the death of the 23-year-old woman, DHS is yet to give its confirmation.
“The two deaths were of a 69-year-old man and 51-year-old man who died at BL Kapur and Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute, respectively. The 69-year-old man was suffering from blood cancer and swine flu, while the 51-year-old male had heart problems, apart from H1N1. Both of them died on Thursday. We are yet to receive the report of the woman who died at Lok Nayak hospital,” said Dr SK Sharma, director, DHS.
Meanwhile, the Delhi government has already received guidelines for procurement of vaccines from the Union health ministry.
“We have started vaccine procurement for health workers involved in handling swine flu patients. The vaccines will not be provided to the public. There was a doubt in the efficacy of the vaccines which was introduced in 2009, thus the delay in releasing the guidelines,” added Dr Sharma.
Of the 908 samples tested on Friday, 143 tested positive for swine flu.