3 H1N1 deaths in a day, toll at 61 in Rajkot

RAJKOT: Three persons died of swine flu in the city on Saturday taking the toll to 61 in last two months. Meanwhile, seven more persons tested positive for the H1N1 virus on Saturday.
According to the district administration, a 62-year-old woman of Raj Samadhiyala, 55-year-old man of Jamkandorna and 55-year-old woman of Rajkot city died in different hospitals on Saturday morning.The health officials said that currently 56 people were under treatment in various government and private hospitals.
Meanwhile, the death toll due to swine flu in the country this year touched 448 with Rajasthan and Gujarat recording the highest fatalities at 137 and 88 respectively since January 1, according to the Union health ministry. Also, there has been significant increase in number of people being infected by H1N1 which has crossed the 14,000-mark.
Rajasthan reported the highest number of cases (3,964) and fatalities (137), the ministry data showed. Gujarat was placed second on the list with 88 deaths and 2,726 cases till February 24.
The data showed 14,803 people tested positive for the H1N1 virus in the country this year till February 24. Last year, 14,992 cases and 1,103 deaths due to the swine flu virus were reported.
With swine flu cases rising alarmingly, the health ministry has asked state governments to bolster their surveillance for early detection of the disease and keep beds reserved in hospitals to deal with acute cases that require ventilator facility.
States have been advised to involve district collectors in enhancing public awareness and outbreak response and issue regular health advisories.
Seasonal influenza (H1N1) is a self-limiting viral, air-borne disease spread from person to person, through large droplets generated due to coughing and sneezing, indirect contact by touching a contaminated object or surface and close contact, including handshaking, hugging and kissing.