State conducts test to verify swine flu virus mutation

Mumbai: The state health department has conducted throat swabs test to verify whether the swine flu virus has mutated. The department’s started conducting the test after the symptom of diarrhoea was noticed in those suffering from the H1N1 flu. The symptoms of swine flu are cold, cough, sore throat, fever and body ache. The department has therefore sent a few throat-swab samples to the Pune-based National Institute of Virology (NIV) laboratory for mutation’s confirmation.

The H1N1 flu has claimed lives of 196 people, and 900 cases of swine flu have been reported until May 15. Of the 1,088 throat swab samples sent to NIV and other private laboratories, 273 were tested positive for swine flu.  

The Puente health department has screened over 2.96 lakh patients with influenza-like illness since January 1. Among them, 5,859 were administered oseltamivir tablets. Of the 1,088 throat swab samples sent to NIV and other private laboratories, 273 were tested positive for swine flu.  Pune, Nashik, Solapur and Aurangabad have recorded high number of deaths due to the swine flu this year.

A senior health official said, “As many as 20 swine flu patients are currently on ventilator across the state.” The health experts have maintained that fluctuations in temperatures could be reasons for the spurt in swine flu cases.

Dr Padmaja Keskar, executive health officer, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said, “Mostly privately-run hospitals are reporting cases of swine flu and it is important for them to keep us posted. They are doing it, but this year the patients of swine flu are showing symptoms of diarrhoea.”