Swine flu death toll rises to six

Tribune News Service

Shimla, January 25

Swine flu has sounded alarm bell in the state as the death toll reached six while 35 patients tested positive. Of these, the IGMC-Shimla reported four deaths and had 20 positive cases.

According to health officials, the IGMC received a report from the National Institute of Virology, Pune, on January 23 in which it was confirmed that 17 patients, including four who had died, had swine flu.

The NIV report came as a shocking reminder to the IGMC, which had reported not even a single case till January 20. These 17 cases were kept in “doubtful category” and the samples were sent to the NIV, said the senior faculty members.

IGMC medical superintendent Dr Janak Raj said five patients - four men and a woman - were under treatment and stable at an isolation ward. “Of the 20 cases, 11 were treated at the IGMC and were discharged from the hospital,” he added.

An IGMC report stated that a 64-year-old patient from Mandi died of H1NI virus in the IGMC on January 23. Three victims, a 56-year man from Chewda Junga (Shimla), a 65-year man from Thandapani (Karsog), a two-year girl from Bamta (Bilaspur), died on January 6, 14 and January 24.

Earlier, the first two deaths due to swine flu were reported from Una, with both patients succumbing to the flu in the PGI, Chandigarh, early this month.

State surveillance officer Sonam Negi said surveillance had been kept on the H1N1 cases and people were advised to take precautions.