LACK OF AWARENESS, DELAY IN TREATMENT ARE THE MAJOR REASONS OF DEATHS

Six deaths in Punjab

Influenza-A H1N1 virus commonly known as Swine flu which claimed 76 deaths in Punjab in year 2017 is again spreading fear in the state. Last year, it had caused 10 deaths. This year, so far, six deaths have been confirmed by the state health officials, mainly in Patiala, Fatehgarh Sahib and Mohali.
In most of the cases, the deceased are believed to have traveled to other states, sources said. In a recent incident, 56-year-old woman who hailed from Samana died by swine flu a day before Lohri. Earlier, a 50-year-old woman in Patiala died of the virus on January 8 at GMCH 32, Chandigarh.
Officials say as many as 44 confirmed death cases have been registered in Punjab till now in January. Dr. Jaspal Kaur, Director, Health and Family Welfare, Punjab, said the government was testing the suspected patients in each district. “We are giving free medicine to the contacts of the suspect or patient”, she said adding that the testing facility was provided in three places i.e. Patiala, Amritsar and PGI. “We are also conducting survey and free of cost treatment is being given to the patients. Isolation ward have been made in hospitals”,she said. Dr. Gagan Deep Singh Grewal, state programme officer for vector-borne diseases said, there was a need for awareness. If a person feels any symptoms of this disease, he should immediately move to the hospital for checkup. Most of the time, patient takes fever, cough, body pain, cold, headache, runny nose very lightly but the they may be the symptoms of swine flu. Poor deterioration and difficulty in breathing are the other symptoms. There are 20 ventilators in the government hospitals for the swine flu patients.As many as 703 isolation wards are provided in the state to help patients recover.

Ten deaths in Haryana

IN HARYANA 118 CASES FOUND POSITIVE IN LAST 13 DAYS

The claim of health department and the government that “situation is under control”, is sounding hollow as swine flu continues to strike allaround in the state. With two more swine flu deaths , 118 patients have been found positive in state. In wake of this the Health department has put state on high alert as number patients has been witnessing a spurt in 2019 . The disease has tightened the grip on people and especially on patients suffering from other chronic diseases including heart, kidney and lung infections. The data reveals that 8 to 10 cases are being reported every day on an average. The virulence of swine flu has gone more powerful as compared to the recent years. “Also, the disease has swallowed the life of 10 people in last three months so it is a matter of serious concern,” say officials. Sources claim owing to lack of facilities in the government hospitals a large number of patients have been opting for private treatment. Virus appears to be spreading from human to human.”The state health department has made elaborate arrangements to noose the disease and ordered CMO’s to collect the samples from private hospitals also”, said Joint Director of Integrated of Disease surveillance project, Dr Deepali Gupta. Also, the medicine and Swine flu kits are also in all hospitals , she added. Hisar has emerged with maximum number of patients as a total of 71 cases have been reported in district so far followed by Bhiwani with 37 patients which indicates the alarming situation. The list of districts with maximum patients comprises of Faridabad, Jind and Yamuna Nagar also. Though, the districts including Rohtak, Sirsa, Ambala and Panchkula exist as entrants in the list.

Who needs more attention
It affects people over 65 years old and under 5 years of age very fast as their immune system is not very good. Whereas people who are already suffering with other diseases like kidney related problem, sugar or any chronic disease need more attention.

Experts say
This viral spreads from one person to another. Such patients should stop spitting on public places. Avoid cold. No medicines should be taken without the doctor’s prescription. Mouth should be covered while sneezing. After touching the eyes, nose and face should wash hands.

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