Confirmed swine flu cases in Gautam Budh Nagar reaches 18

The National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) in Delhi confirmed eight more cases, taking the total number of confirmed cases in the district to 18

With the confirmation of eight more cases of H1N1 by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) in Delhi, the total number of patients suffering from swine flu this season has reached 18 in Gautam Budh Nagar.

Swine flu is a highly contagious disease and can be easily spread from a patient through saliva and mucus particles. (Burhaan Kinu/HT File Photo)

The district health authorities on Monday evening announced the total cases of swine flu to be 18.

Till July 29, 10 cases were registered in the district, of which one patient was from Ghaziabad and one from Delhi. The health department had then sent samples from several suspected swine flu patients to NCDC for tests.

Dr Anurag Bhargav, chief medical officer of Gautam Budh Nagar, said on Monday evening that the lab test has confirmed eight more cases of the disease.

“Until now, we have received 18 cases of swine flu of which 16 are from Gautam Budh Nagar. All the patients belong to residential societies in Noida and Greater Noida,” said Dr Bhargav.

Swine flu is an infection caused by swine influenza viruses that is endemic in pigs. It is a highly contagious disease and can be easily spread from a patient through saliva and mucus particles.

Issuing an advisory regarding the disease, Dr Bhargav said, “Diabetic people and those with kidney problems are more prone to swine flu. Patients should avoid going to crowded areas and should ideally maintain a distance from others to avoid spreading the infection.”

The health department claimed it has made elaborate arrangements for swine flu patients in both private and government hospitals of Noida and Greater Noida.

“We have created specific isolated wards for swine flu patients in the district hospital and the super specialty child hospital with 10 and 20 beds respectively. Similarly, private hospitals have also been asked to create isolated wards for the patients,” said Dr Bhargav.