Mumbai: Two succumb to H1N1, toll touches 33

On Wednesday, two patients undergoing treatment for swine flu infection in Mumbai hospitals succumbed to the disease, taking the toll in the city to 33 this year, of which nine are Mumbai residents.

On Wednesday, two patients undergoing treatment for swine flu infection in Mumbai hospitals succumbed to the disease, taking the toll in the city to 33 this year, of which nine are Mumbai residents. A 70-year-old woman from Borivli and a 72-year-old man from Rajasthan are the latest victims of the infection.

Doctors said both suffered from diabetes, a condition common to most patients who have died of the disease.

The Borivli resident had Ischaemic Heart Disease, a condition affecting blood supply to the heart. “She died of septicaemia and acute respiratory distress syndrome,” said a civic official. The Rajasthan resident had hypertension. “He had renal shutdown and cardio respiratory failure and pneumonia,” said an official.

With 42 new cases reported in the city on Wednesday, doctors are worried the situation is inching closer to the 2009 pandemic, when the number of cases in the year was 1,497. So far, 1,297 Mumbaites have fallen prey to the infection.

Weather favouring transmission
Public health experts said the number of cases will continue to rise, as the weather is conducive for transmission of the virus. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), minimum temperatures in the suburbs fell further to 17.6 degrees Celsius – 3.7 degrees Celsius below normal – on Wednesday, from Tuesday’s low of 18.4 degrees Celsius.

Minimum temperatures in south Mumbai, however, fell only by 0.8 degree Celsius to come to 22 degrees Celsius. VK Rajeev, director, western region, IMD, said, “These are minor fluctuations and the temperatures may start rising now.”

“Any difference in the day and night temperature aids transmission of the virus,” said Dr Pratit Samdani, physician, Breach Candy Hospital.