Bhopal: Two patients diagnosed with H1N1, died in the state capital, here on Thursday. Madhya Pradesh health department has issued a state-wide alert for H1N1 (swine flu). Around 10 districts of MP including Bhopal have reported spurt in H1N1 cases.
Nine swine flu deaths have been reported in Madhya Pradesh while three swine flu deaths have been reported only in January in the state capital till Thursday. It is the first death due to the deadly influenza infection in Bhopal in 2019, confirmed MP health department. Five new cases were also reported for infection, which has resulted in 9 deaths in Madhya Pradesh, since January.
Hamidia Hospital confirmed that two patients who were diagnosed with the infection, died. Both were male in the early 50s, said a Hamidia hospital official. Bhopal CMHO Dr NU Khan said, “Three deaths have been reported so far from state capital. Two of them were from Bhopal and third one was of Ashok Nagar.
Government protocol is not to wait for H1N1 sample test results. We are proactive and initiated the treatment immediately, even while test results were awaited.” Integrated disease surveillance project (IDSP) that detects and responds to disease outbreaks, has warned of a spurt swine flu cases given protracted winter season. So far this year, around 12 people have tested positive for the infection in Bhopal alone.
Advisory for hospitals
Hospitals have been advised to ensure that they have the required and adequate quantities of stock of drug Oseltamivir, viral diagnostic kits, viral transport media, personal protective equipment and N-95 masks, at different levels in the health care system, said a health department official. Government run hospitals have also been instructed to ensure that sufficient isolation facilities are available, functional and well-equipped to manage critical respiratory emergencies.