Swine flu cases rise in Ghaziabad and GB Nagar

Number of confirmed cases at 38 in Gautam Budh Nagar, 25 in Ghaziabad; isolation wards kept ready at all hospitals

The National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) confirmed that 19 more persons from Gautam Budh Nagar and seven more from Ghaziabad are suffering from swine flu, as per samples tested till Friday evening.

The health departments of Gautam Budh Nagar and Ghaziabad have made elaborate arrangements to tackle the disease (Sakib Ali/HT Photo)

The total count of positive H1N1 cases in Gautam Budh Nagar and Ghaziabad is now at 38 and 25, respectively.

Sangeet Som, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA from Sardhana, Meerut, was also admitted to Yashoda Hospital in Kaushambi, Ghaziabad. Social media reports said he had swine flu but health officials denied it.

Officials of Yashoda Hospital confirmed that Som has been admitted to their hospital. However, they refused to comment on his health condition.

“We have no confirmed reports of the MLA about swine flu. Had it been a case, we would have received samples. It could be viral that he may be suffering,” said Dr NK Gupta, chief medical officer, Ghaziabad.

“Until now, we have sent 68 samples to NCDC in Delhi, of which 38 have been confirmed to be positive. Of these 38 cases, six are from other districts such as Delhi and Ghaziabad, while the rest are from residential areas of Noida and Greater Noida,” Dr Anurag Bhargav, chief medical officer, GB Nagar health department, said.

The health department of Ghaziabad had sent nine fresh samples of suspected H1N1 infections to NCDC on Wednesday.

“The results have been delivered to us and seven more cases have been confirmed, taking the total count to 25 in the district,” Gupta said.

Swine flu is caused by swine influenza virus, which is highly contagious and can spread through saliva and mucus particles, experts said.

Issuing an advisory, 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 departments of Gautam Budh Nagar and Ghaziabad have made arrangements to tackle the disease. They have set up isolated wards in private and government hospitals, community health centres and primary health centres, besides carrying out campaigns.