25 swine flu deaths in Punjab

PATIALA: With 25 deaths so far this year, swine flu has tightened its grip in the state, said an official with Punjab’s National Vector-Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) here on Monday.
NVBDCP state programme officer Dr Gagandeep Singh Grover said the highest number of cases had been reported from Ludhiana (six), with Patiala (5) close behind. “Four deaths have been reported from Fatehgarh Sahib and Sangrur each, while a death each has taken place in Mohali, Muktsar, Barnala, Ferozepur, Fazilka and Gurdaspur,” he said.
Punjab health minister Brahm Mohindra said since the H1N1 virus transmitted through air and proliferated in cold temperature, there was “nothing much” that could be done to check its spread. “However, the health department is fully geared up for providing medical treatment to swine flu patients,” he said.
He said all hospitals had isolation wards and precautions were being taken to ensure the disease did not spread. Health officials have also been asked to scan all those who come in contact with patients who have tested positive for the virus.
He said all states in northern India were battling a rise in swine flu cases. Last year, the state recorded 11 deaths, but the number of cases has seen a spurt this year. Dr Grover said there was no shortage of medicines and tests for detecting the virus were being carried out for free at government hospitals.