Nagpur: With the fresh bout of H1N1 affecting the health of Maharashtra, Pune scores high with more deaths due to swine flu this year while the rural pockets of Nagpur are reeling into its effect. Of the 11 H1N1 cases resulting in deaths in the state, one death has been officially reported in Nagpur. However the number may be low but sources informed that this is the wake up call for the health machineries in the city as the virus has been slowly and steadily affecting more people, thanks to the weather transition that makes for the conducive breeding ground for the virus.
The latest swine reports say that seven people died of the contagion at hospitals in Pune (6) and Pimpri Chinchwad (1) since the beginning of the year. The remaining four deaths were reported from hospitals in Latur, Akola, Nashik and Nagpur.
Talking to Nagpur Today, Nagpur Municipal Corporation Health Officer Dr Savita Meshram informed that since January the swine flu situation in city is considerably under control. She informed that however there have been 7 positive cases from rural and one death has been reported since January.
As many as 31 patients are currently undergoing treatment at hospitals in Maharashtra for influenza-like illness. Among them, 11 patients have been found positive for H1N1. The rest are suspected to have contracted the infection, the official added.
Dr Meshram however reiterated that the situation in Nagpur is far from alarming and that the civic body was taking due care to check the spread of virus.
“We are making enough efforts to take control of the situation. Since January Nagpur has not reported any case of swine flu however 7 cases from rural areas turned up as positive. We conduct the survey of the area of the patients testing positive for swine flu. We are giving adequate treatment for the same as we have two government hospitals here along with enough private hospitals,” Dr Meshram told Nagpur Today.
However a state health official said, “There is a definite surge in the cases over the last few days. However, compared with the spurt reported during the same period March and April last year, the number is not as high.”
