Maharashtra records 110 swine flu fatalities so far this year
Umesh Isalkar | TNN | Updated: Apr 22, 2019, 09:21 IST
Maharashtra has recorded 1,320 swine flu cases and 110 deaths between January 1 and April 20 this yearPUNE: Notwithstanding the April heat, the H1N1 virus continues to wreak havoc across the state.
However, the virus’s active transmission has gone down significantly compared with what it was between January and March, say experts.
Maharashtra has recorded 1,320 swine flu cases and 110 deaths between January 1 and April 20 this year, as against 10 cases and four deaths during the same period last year.
Compared with state’s rural areas, most swine flu cases and casualties have been recorded in the state’s municipal corporation areas.
Nagpur has recorded maximum 327 cases followed by Nashik (241), Mumbai (239) and Pune (120). Currently, the condition of seven more patients diagnosed with the contagion is critical. They have been put on ventilator support at different hospitals in Pune (6) and Latur (1).
Pune municipal limits have recorded 37 deaths so far this year. However swine flu was confirmed as the cause in 21 cases by the state’s death audit committee. The other 16 deaths are still considered ‘suspected’, as they have not yet been reviewed by the committee. “The state’s city areas have recorded maximum, 63, swine flu casualties, as against 47 casualties recorded in some district’s rural parts. That means, the active virus transmission was at its peak in city areas,” said a state health official.
However, the active transmission of swine flu is showing a decline. “It is likely to nosedive further in coming days,” said the official.
“The cases increased in February because the virus transmission escalated after the initial spread in January. Influenza virus spreads quickly and fast,” said senior paediatrician Sharad Agarkhedkar. He said poor awareness of maintaining basic hygiene can push up the transmission rate.
“Swine flu has always been more severe than the regular seasonal influenza. Hence, timely seeking medical treatment is absolutely essential. The virus has not mutated. It is very much susceptible to oseltamivir (Tamiflu or Fluvir),” said a scientist from National Institute of Virology (NIV).
However, the virus’s active transmission has gone down significantly compared with what it was between January and March, say experts.
Maharashtra has recorded 1,320 swine flu cases and 110 deaths between January 1 and April 20 this year, as against 10 cases and four deaths during the same period last year.
Compared with state’s rural areas, most swine flu cases and casualties have been recorded in the state’s municipal corporation areas.
Nagpur has recorded maximum 327 cases followed by Nashik (241), Mumbai (239) and Pune (120). Currently, the condition of seven more patients diagnosed with the contagion is critical. They have been put on ventilator support at different hospitals in Pune (6) and Latur (1).
Pune municipal limits have recorded 37 deaths so far this year. However swine flu was confirmed as the cause in 21 cases by the state’s death audit committee. The other 16 deaths are still considered ‘suspected’, as they have not yet been reviewed by the committee. “The state’s city areas have recorded maximum, 63, swine flu casualties, as against 47 casualties recorded in some district’s rural parts. That means, the active virus transmission was at its peak in city areas,” said a state health official.
However, the active transmission of swine flu is showing a decline. “It is likely to nosedive further in coming days,” said the official.
“The cases increased in February because the virus transmission escalated after the initial spread in January. Influenza virus spreads quickly and fast,” said senior paediatrician Sharad Agarkhedkar. He said poor awareness of maintaining basic hygiene can push up the transmission rate.
“Swine flu has always been more severe than the regular seasonal influenza. Hence, timely seeking medical treatment is absolutely essential. The virus has not mutated. It is very much susceptible to oseltamivir (Tamiflu or Fluvir),” said a scientist from National Institute of Virology (NIV).
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