Six swine flu deaths in October put health brass on alert

HYDERABAD: Eleven deaths due to swine flu since August, of which six were in October, appear to have forced health department officials into issuing an alert, especially for the elderly and pregnant women, to take extra precautions.
Of the six swine flu deaths in October, five patients were over 50 years of age, said authorities. However, so far no paediatric swine flu cases have come to the Niloufer Hospital, which has been designated as the nodal centre for complicated paediatric cases.

Health authorities said that the compromised immunity in such patients make them highly vulnerable.
“Their response to treatment is poor and chances of recovery slim. When it comes to cases of elderly patients with diabetes, hypertension, obesity, lung, cardiac or kidney diseases, their chances of survival drop drastically. Of the four patients admitted to our hospital this month, three succumbed to the virus, while one 30-year-old patient (currently undergoing treatment) is showing signs of recovery,” said Dr B Nagender, superintendent, Osmania General Hospital.
“The number of people coming with upper respiratory infection, including influenza, usually increases during the marriage and festive season. People must avoid small and congested crowded places, be it functions, events or even pilgrimages. In cases of elderly people, they should avoid being exposed to anyone who has symptoms of influenza in addition to avoiding over-crowded places,” said a senior health officer.