An 11-month-old baby boy from Bandra died of swine flu on Sunday taking the H1N1 death toll since June 11 — three this month.
A 20-year-old man from Cuffe Parade died of malaria on Monday.
The baby was first admitted to Bhabha Hospital, Bandra, on July 11 with nephrotic syndrome, a kidney disorder. He was shifted to Kasturba Hospital, Chinchpokli, on the same day after doctors suspected him of having swine flu.
“He was started on Tamiflu but died on the same day. Being a child, he was in the high-risk category for swine flu,” said Dr G T Ambe, executive health officer of the BMC.
“The patient’s kidney disorder and the fact that he was being administered steroids for it also weakened his immune system making him susceptible to the H1N1 virus,” added Ambe.
Thirteen, including four children and one pregnant woman, also tested positive for swine flu on Tuesday, taking the total number of positive H1N1 cases in the city in July to 178.
But the rise in the number of positive swine flu is not a cause for concern. “Since the monsoon is a conducive environment for viruses, swine flu cases are on the rise in this season. But fortunately, mortality for the flu has now decreased as compared to last year, when it first hit India,” said Dr Pradeep Awate of the state influenza cell.
{{/usCountry}}But the rise in the number of positive swine flu is not a cause for concern. “Since the monsoon is a conducive environment for viruses, swine flu cases are on the rise in this season. But fortunately, mortality for the flu has now decreased as compared to last year, when it first hit India,” said Dr Pradeep Awate of the state influenza cell.
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