Ludhiana, Aug 11 : In a shift of sorts in the seasonal flu pattern, Punjab, like several other parts of the country, is seeing a spurt in swine flu cases in summer months. So far, 58 patients have tested positive in Punjab in the past one month, out of which nine deaths have been recorded. Health authorities said that the virus is “active” across the country and not just Punjab. They added that nearly 16500 positive cases have been reported from across the country since July, which include 800 deaths.
Dr Gagandeep Singh, the nodal medical officer taking care of the swine flu situation in Punjab, said, “Swine flu cases started being reported from the year 2013 and we have seen this flu from November-March. However, it’s for the first time that the virus has become active in hot and humid conditions. Patients are pouring in different hospitals across the state and most of them are coming in severe conditions, rather than visiting their doctor at the initial stage of cough, cold and fever. According to our records, nine deaths have been reported in the past one month out of which five patients are from Ludhiana alone, while one each is from Faridkot, Sangrur, Hoshairpur and Ropar. A total of 225 suspected cases have been reported and their is a mad rush in the labs for testing patients…”
Source Indian Express
