Swine flu kills 2 more in Delhi

Delhi has already reported five deaths due to swine flu this season, including the three victims who were from outside capital.

Meanwhile, seven fresh cases of the virus surfaced yesterday, taking the total number of influenza cases in the national capital to 54.

According to official sources, one of the victims succumbed to the fatal disease at Base Hospital in Delhi Cantonment on Monday, while the second died at a private hospital.

A senior health official stated, "It is not clear whether the deaths reported are of persons from Delhi or of those who came from outside the city. We are verifying the reports.

"High-risk patients like children, pregnant women and critically-ill people need to be extra careful.”

Health officials urge precautions
Anticipating a spurt in the infections due to the rains, health officials are urging people to take precautions to check the spread of the disease.

They are asking the public to maintain hygiene and stay away from crowded places.

Trying to allay the inherent fears of the people, experts are reassuring them that there is no need to panic as the health departments are well equipped to deal with spread of H1N1.

Measures like sprucing up hospitals, stocking up on Tamiflu, and launching programs aimed at generating awareness about detection and prevention of swine flu are in place.

In addition, the country is prepared to tackle the deadly virus with its nasal spray and injectable vaccine.

Situation elsewhere in the country
The relentless rampage of the killer disease shows no signs of abating with 38 people falling prey to the influenza in the past one week in different parts of the country.

Maharashtra was hit the hardest during the week (July 19-26), with 19 succumbing to the virus. Kerala was close on heels recording eight deaths.

Meanwhile, 5 died in Andhra Pradesh, 2 each in Delhi and Gujarat, and 1 each in West Bengal and Karnataka.

According to an official releases, the total also includes eight deaths that occurred in Karnataka earlier and were reported now.

In addition, a total of 548 indigenous cases of the flu were reported during the week, which included 230 in Maharashtra, 108 in Kerala, and 84 in Karnataka.

To date, samples from 149,077 persons have been tested for swine flu in government laboratories and private laboratories with 34,669 (23.2 per cent) testing positive for the disease.