20 swine flu deaths seen in state this year

Maharashtra witnessed 20 swine flu deaths from January to June this year, a report from the state health department has revealed. Officials said that though swine flu continues to pose a threat, the number of positive cases has reduced for the second consecutive year in comparison with previous years, which is an indication that the authorities have managed to check its spread.

According to health department data, 10,623 were administered Oseltamivir medicine as a precaution in last six months, and 7,475 persons were scanned for swine flu. However, the confirmed swine flu cases were only 34. In the past six months, 70 people were given special treatment for swine flu, out of which 20 people died and 46 persons were cured. Four of them are still under treatment.

Experts say that the people will have to take precautions even in the monsoon as it has been observed that H1N1 virus thrive even in humid conditions. Dr Om Shrivastav, a city-based infectious diseases consultant, said, “Earlier it was believed that the virus circulates at a higher level in cold and dry conditions. But since last year, swine flu cases have been reported even in the humid conditions of the monsoon.”

When a patient has a very high fever for two-three days along with cold and cough, doctors immediately start administering Oseltamivir or Tamiflu to patients. “Tamiflu has been very effective in swine flu treatment. Patients get better after four-five days of medication,” Dr Shrivastav said.