Aurangabad: Health department on toes after 6 deaths due to swine flu

AURANGABAD: Six people have died in the last three months due to H1N1, commonly known as swine flu, in Aurangabad district causing panic among the government health officials.

“Around 2,886 patients have been screened for the disease beginning from January this year with total 31 cases declared as suspicious,” a senior government health officials said.

“Cases of H1N1 flu have surfaced from certain areas of Maharashtra, including Aurangabad. The district health machinery has been asked to stay on toes following six deaths due to H1N1 flu this year. While necessary drugs and other medications are made available in ample stock, we appeal to the citizens not to panic and follow simple health tips to keep the disease at bay,” the authorities said.

Aurangabad district collector Nidhi Pandey conducted a special meeting and reviewed Swine flu related situation in the urban and rural parts on Monday.

“Citizens must visit state or private-run health facilities in case of any symptoms of swine flu,” health authorities said.

“Often, the symptoms of H1N1 may seem like that of common flu, but citizens should get it tested at the nearest health facility. Children, especially, may be irritable and refuse to take fluids. The state health machinery is ready to deal with such cases,” health officials said, adding that a separate ward has been put into operation at the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Aurangabad to deal with the H1N1 flu cases.

Kuldeep Roul, president elect of Indian Medical Association (IMA), Aurangabad chapter, said, “The sudden spurt in H1N1 flu cases can be termed as post-pandemic. Citizens should not panic as this is not an outbreak of swine flu. Presently, only sporadic cases are being reported,” he said.

Roul also said that there was less chances that the H1N1 virus has undergone any major shift and drift post its 2009 outbreak in India. “If the virus had undergone major change, there would have been another outbreak of the disease. Personal hygiene and healthcare along with simple coughing and sneezing etiquettes can eliminate the chances of Swine flu,” he said.

Jayashri Kulkarni, health officer with Aurangabad Municipal Corporation, could not be reached for details on the deaths due to swine flu.