Maharashtra: Swine flu kills 11 people in 23 days
What's the story
After Rajasthan, Maharashtra, too, has fallen victim to a swine flu outbreak. Swine flu cases have been reported from eight districts in Maharashtra, and between January 1 and January 23, 11 people have lost their lives to the contagious disease. In total, 66 cases have been reported from the state, and more are expected. Here are the details.
Maharashtra
How swine flu has affected Maharashtra
The worst-hit district in Maharashtra is Nagpur, where 29 cases of swine flu were reported till January 24. Other districts that have seen swine flu cases include Nashik (10), Kolhapur (9), Pune (8), Akola (4), Pimpri Chinchwad (3), Thane (2), and Solapur (1). As for deaths, the air-borne disease has claimed five lives in Nagpur, and three each in Pune and Kolhapur.
Screening
70,000 people in Pune have been screened for the virus
At present, two more swine flu patients have been reported to be in a critical condition and have been put on ventilator support at different hospitals in the Pune district. Meanwhile, over 70,000 people in Pune, who developed flu-like symptoms, have been screened for the H1N1 virus, and among them 745 people have been administered swine flu medication over suspicions that they might have contracted the virus.
India
77 deaths have taken place across India; thousands are affected
The situation across India isn't particularly good either. In total, 2,572 people have tested positive for the virus, and till January 24, 77 swine flu-related deaths had been reported across India. Rajasthan is the worst hit, with 1,508 cases so far and 58 deaths. In Delhi, 387 cases have been reported so far, while Haryana has seen 272 people test positive for swine flu.
Swine flu
A brief introduction to swine flu
For those unaware, swine flu is caused by the H1N1 virus, which is one of the most prevalent and contagious viruses. Swine flu has three categories of intensity - A, B, and C. While Category A and Category B swine flu can be easily treated at home, Category C generally needs immediate hospitalization. Category C swine flu, if untreated, could lead to death.
Advice
Symptoms, vulnerability, and what to do if affected
Common symptoms of swine flu infection include fever, cough, headache, diarrhoea, vomiting, and a general feeling of uneasiness. While anyone could contract the disease, children aged below five years, and adults aged above 65 years are particularly vulnerable. In case you notice any of the aforementioned symptoms, it is advisable to visit your doctor as soon as possible.