3K people screened after report of suspected swine flu death in Pune

The city reported a suspected swine flu death of a 55-year-old resident of Hadapsar who died due to the viral infection, officials said.

With favourable conditions prevailing in the city for the spread of influenza A H1N1, screening of patients for the infection is increasing at the OPDs of various hospitals. According to Pune municipal corporation’s (PMC) health department report, more than 3,000 people were screened for the flu and only four were found positive as on Thursday.

According to Pune municipal corporation’s (PMC) health department report, more than 3,000 people were screened for the flu and only four were found positive as on Thursday. (HT Representative Photo)

The city reported a suspected swine flu death of a 55-year-old resident of Hadapsar who died due to the viral infection, officials said. The deceased, Asha Agarwal, was suspected to be suffering from influenza A H1N1 infection. She died on Tuesday at the Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital (DMH), where she was admitted.

According to reports shared by the PMC health department, Agarwal, who’s swab was sent on August 13, tested positive for the infection the very next day.

However, the PMC health department’s medical officer, Dr Anjali Sabne, said, “Death of the patient named Agarwal is not confirmed due to influenza A H1N1 and it will be decided by the review committee of the PMC. Once they decide that the cause of death was due to the viral infection, it will be announced, but so far it is not a positive death.”

Currently, there are 11 patients on ventilator support. Compared to last year, where more than 600 had tested positive, only 35 people have been found positive for the infection this year since January.

About the deceased, state epidemiologist Dr Pradeep Awate, said, “The deceased had developed multiple complications like acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) along with sepsis and also suffered from pneumonitis caused due to the infection.”

“As of now, 15 people have lost their lives to this infection in the state of Maharashtra since January this year,” said Dr Awate. On Thursday, around 3,258 were screened for the infection, according to the PMC health department.