2 die of swine flu, probe ordered

Two children died of swine flu on Saturday, taking the city’s toll to 20. State health authorities have ordered an inquiry into the two deaths.

Two children died of swine flu on Saturday, taking the city’s toll to 20. State health authorities have ordered an inquiry into the two deaths.

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While eight-month-old Atharva Dongre died at Nair hospital, Gaurav (1) was being treated at Hiranandani Hospital.

Both had tested positive for the virus on Friday and were shifted out of Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital for Children in Parel, where they had been admitted.

Additional Municipal Commissioner (Health) Manisha Mhaiskar said the children were admitted to Wadia on time but there was a clear delay in the administration of Tamiflu.

“We have asked the directorate of Medical Education and Research to look into the case,” said Mhaiskar.

The authorities said Dongre had been put on Tamiflu on Friday at Nair hospital after he was transferred from Wadia in a critical condition.

He had been admitted to Wadia on September 3.

“The doctors there had collected his throat swabs for tests but did not start with Tamiflu,” a senior civic official said, requesting anonymity.

Gaurav, who was from Bhiwandi, had been admitted to Wadia hospital on Monday.

Meanwhile, three people died of malaria on Saturday. A 46-year-old woman succumbed to malaria at RN Cooper, while a 60-year-old woman died at Rajawadi. A 28-year-old man died of malaria at Kasturba.

Two more Chira Bazaar residents have been admitted to Kasturba with cholera. One of the labourers, who had been admitted to Kasturba with suspected cholera on Wednesday, was discharged on Saturday.