E-Paper
Swine flu scare in Himachal: One dead, two more tested positive
A 65-year-old man died of swine flu while two more cases have been found positive in the state in the last 48 hours.
A 65-year-old man died of swine flu while two more cases have been found positive in the state in the last 48 hours.
Daya Ram, who was admitted for swine flu at Dr Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College, Kangra, died on Thursday.
Meanwhile, 67-year-old Sudha Devi was also diagnosed with the disease at the same hospital. Doctors said she was better now.
Leela Devi, admitted at Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) in Shimla was also tested positive for swine flu.
Dr Ramesh Chand, senior medical superintendent at IGMC, said Leela was admitted after she complained of cold and fever. “She has been tested positive for swine flu. We are keeping an eye on other patients and her family members have been given the medicine Tamiflu,” he said.
Swine flu cases are usually reported in winters. Sources said IGMC was unprepared to tackle the swine flu cases and when the woman was tested positive, the hospital had to bring medicines from Solan. However, sensing the seriousness of the issue, the hospital has now stocked medicines.
“It is not severe but we are keeping tab on the situation. Our first priority is to keep the other patients and family members of those tested positive safe from the flu,” health director Baldev Thakur said.
In 2015, nearly three dozen people died of swine flu in Himachal Pradesh and more than 500 were tested positive for it. However, most of the cases surfaced during winters.
Dr Ramesh said swine influenza is a contagious respiratory disease. “If you are having cold and fever for more than three-four days, you must see a doctor because it is not common cold,” he said.
