Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 9: Three people have died in last about 10 days due to H1N1, commonly known as Swine Flu, in Jammu Division, putting Government health officials on toes.
“Around 33 patients have been screened for the disease in last about two months out of which four have been found positive so far,” sources in the Health Department said.
They said till date Swine Flu has claimed three lives in Jammu including a five year old child. First death was reported on January 31 from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana Superspeciality Hospital, Kakrayal (Katra), they said, adding the deceased was identified as Vinod Kumar (53) son of Omkar Nath, resident of Jagti (Nagrota). They said the deceased was earlier admitted in GMC Jammu but he left the Hospital against medical advice without informing the authorities.
Giving details of the 2nd death due to Swine Flu, sources said a five year-old child namely Kaka son of Ghansara Singh of Ramban became 2nd victim of this dreaded disease. He was also suffering from cancer and was under treatment at SMGS Hospital, Jammu. Third death was reported yesterday from GMC Jammu, where a woman namely Tazeen Akhter wife of Mohd Rashid, resident of Bafliaz (Surankote) died of the disease. She was undergoing treatment in Isolation Ward of the Hospital.
One death of Jammu resident has also been reported from Dayanand Medical College, Ludhiana, sources informed. They said the deceased was identified as Anjum Mir of Khatikan Talab (Jammu), who was a serving J&K Police official. The fourth patient who has been found positive for H1N1 virus is a woman namely Anja Jan, who is under treatment at SMGS Hospital, sources further disclosed.
According to officials of the Health Department, members of the swine flu patient’s family and others who were in their contact during the last few days were either given/being given medicines as a precautionary measure.
The Health Department has stepped up surveillance and has directed its officials in all districts of Jammu province, especially in those areas from where the H1N1 cases have been reported, to monitor closely outbreak of H1N1 virus (Swine Flu).
“Officials have been asked to remain on alert and stocks of antiviral drugs have also been made available at the hospitals”, they said adding, the Health Department had already catalyzed its team and doctors had been asked to collect samples of those showing swine flu-like symptoms and take all precautionary measures to curtail the spread of the disease.
“Often, the symptoms of H1N1 may seem like that of common flu, but citizens should get it tested at the nearest health facility. Children, especially, may be irritable and refuse to take fluids. The State health machinery is ready to deal with such cases,” health officials said, adding that a separate ward has been put into operation at GMC Jammu to deal with H1N1 flu cases.
“Personal hygiene and healthcare along with simple coughing and sneezing etiquettes can eliminate the chance of Swine Flu,” they asserted.
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