Delhi gets 3 new cases of H1N1 influenza
POSTED July 21, 2010 - 12:04 | POSTED BY Neharika Sabharwal
Last edited by Harpreet Bhagrath on July 21, 2010 - 12:20
There seems to be no respite from the surging numbers of swine flu cases across the country, with over 300 testing positive in the past week.
Delhi recorded three fresh cases Tuesday, taking the total number of H1N1 infections to 18 in this season. In addition, two persons succumbed to the lethal disease at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital last week.
Since the outbreak last summer, the total number of laboratory confirmed cases of H1N1 in the national Capital has reached 9,717 with 96 people having fallen prey to the disease.
AIIMS doctor critical
Dr Aarul, a senior resident doctor in the medicine department at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), is the latest victim of the virus.
The doctor, who had just returned from a trip outside Delhi, was admitted to the hospital on Monday night in critical condition with dominant symptoms of the vicious strain.
Although his test reports are still awaited, he is under medical intervention in the intensive care unit of the hospital for suspected H1N1 infection.
"Dr Aarul is currently being given symptomatic treatment,'' said an AIIMS doctor.
Spurt in cases in monsoons
Despite health officials trying their utmost to contain the spread of the contagious virus, the relentless rampage of the current H1N1 monster shows no sign of abating.
According to experts, the onset of monsoons is inflating the number of infections in the city.
Dr A K Prasad, clinical virologist and chairman of Influenza foundation of India stated, "The virus was always there in the air and it was causing one or two cases even during the lean period.
"But with the fall in temperature, the number of cases of H1N1 flu are rising. The humid weather conditions caused by rain is favourable for the spread of this disease.''
Capital ready to handle H1N1
Meanwhile, experts are reassuring the public that there is no need to panic as the health departments are well equipped to tackle any kind of situation.
Measures like sprucing up hospitals, stocking up on medicines, unleashing of information campaigns to generate awareness about detection and prevention of the influenza are in full swing.
In addition, the country is now armed with swine flu vaccine for those with underlying health issues.
"We have our indigenous swine flu vaccines now. The high-risk patients can get themselves vaccinated," said Dr Prasad.
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