Mumbai: 11-yr-old among 3 who died of swine flu in 24 hrs

Three people, including an 11-year-old boy, died of swine flu infection at Mumbai hospitals in a 24-hour span. This year, Mumbai has recorded 40 swine flu related deaths, with 2,427 cases reported from different parts of the city.

Three people, including an 11-year-old boy, died of swine flu infection at Mumbai hospitals in a 24-hour span. This year, Mumbai has recorded 40 swine flu related deaths, with 2,427 cases reported from different parts of the city.

The death of the 11-year-old boy from Bhayandar has doctors worried as his condition had deteriorated very rapidly.

“Within a few hours of admission to the hospital, he died. We put him on the most advanced life-support system but he did not respond,” said Dr Vinay Joshi, paediatric intensivist at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Andheri, where the boy was admitted. He died on Thursday of pneumonia as a result of an H1N1 infection and acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Dr Joshi said children who had a cough and cold should be monitored closely for any worsening in condition. Prior to coming to KDAH, the boy was being treated as an outpatient.

“When he was brought to the hospital, the oxygen level in his blood was just 40% (it ideally should be more than 70%). He was also bleeding internally,” said Dr Preetha Joshi, who was treating the boy.

“Both the deceased had other pre-existing illnesses apart from the H1N1 infection which may have caused more complications,” said a civic official. The Ghatkopar resident died within five days of admission to Fortis Hospital, Mulund. “He died of multi-organ failure with viral pneumonia and septic shock [severe infection],” the civic official said.

The Malad resident died within a day of being admitted to Kasturba Hospital, Chinchpokli. She was put on oseltamivir (anti-swine flu) medication on Wednesday and died the next day of respiratory f ailure. Apart from swine flu, she also had tuberculosis, diabetes and hypertension.

Civic officials have already urged citizens to avoid self-medication if they are experiencing symptoms of flu.

On Friday, 42 new cases of swine flu were reported to the civic epidemiology cell.