Swine Flu Claims 7th Victim in Mumbai

A Bhopal woman became the seventh swine flu victim in Mumbai on Thursday. The 47-year-old woman, who had been admitted to Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital (KDAH) on January 25, died of severe H1N1 pneumonia, said Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC's) health department.

"She was recovering, but her health deteriorated suddenly. After being on ventilator for almost two weeks, she succumbed," said a doctor from KDAH. The doctors said the deceased had hypertension and a thyroid disorder. According to official data, in two days, Mumbai has registered 26 swine flu cases, including eight children and four senior citizens.

Dr Mangala Gomare, the epidemiology in-charge in BMC said, "So far, we have 67 cases, out of which only three are on ventilator. Most of them are taking treatment on OPD basis and are stable. We request people with flu-like symptoms to avoid going in crowded places and following hygiene, so that spread of infection is controlled."

Explaining why the virus has suddenly resurfaced, Dr Tanu Singhal, infectious disease expert at KDAH, said, "Every virus undergoes changes. In this case too, it looks like there is some structural change in the virus to which people are not immune. Those with underlying diseases like diabetes, who have high fever with lower respiratory tract infection, shouldn't delay in taking medical help."



Source: Medindia