Kurla woman succumbs to H1N1

Mumbai: Swine flu has claimed its second victim in the city; a 72-year-old woman staying in Kurla. This takes the H1N1 death toll across the state to 196, said health department officials.

The woman died at privately-run Kohinoor Hospital, Kurla, on Friday although her report was awaited for confirmation of H1N1 infection. She was suffering from high blood pressure and Ischemia (a condition that affects blood supply to the heart). As her condition worsened, she was rushed to the hospital at 3am. However, doctors at the hospital pronounced her dead within six hours of treatment.

Dr Padmaja Keskar, executive health officer, BMC, said, “We have started our screening procedure and spreading awareness in our outpatient department (OPD). Over 3,776 people belonging to 750 families in Kurla, especially in the deceased’s locality, have been screened by our health officials.”

“Currently, there are a few residents diagnosed with fever and symptoms of flu in the same locality and their treatment has been started,” Dr Keskar said.

This year’s first H1N1 death in the city was reported on April 28, when an 18-month-old boy from Malad succumbed to H1N1 infection. Civic health officials said that six cases of swine flu infection were reported this month in the city. BMC has started putting up posters to spread awareness about swine flu in civic-run hospitals.

Dr Om Srivastava, city-based infectious diseases specialist, told The Asian Age, “The symptoms of swine flu or H1N1 are the same as any influenza virus. It can affect anyone, especially senior citizens, small children and pregnant women. Diabetics and cardiac patients too face high risk.”

“People need to be more cautious and avoid outside food. Any person with symptoms of flu must take treatment under the supervision of a doctor. And, avoid self-medication. Earlier the detection, lesser the chances of infection spreading further,” he said.