H1N1 hits Gujarat health secy. Is Modi the culprit?

Gujarat chief Minister Narendra Modi is recovering to rejoin office on Friday after a bout of H1N1, but his principal health secretary Ravi Saxena has tested positive for the virus. That makes one wonder if Modi passed on the virus to Saxena. The health commissioner has asked all officials who have come in contact with the health secretary to stay home.

The list includes deputy director (epidemic) Gandhi, deputy director (health) Paresh Dave and the civil hospital’s chief physician Vora.  With the top order under the weather, the health department has come to a standstill. The fear of H1N1 is spreading like wild fire. Many employees’ throat swabs have been sent to BJ Medical College for testing.

Saxena showed H1N1 symptoms two days ago (Tuesday).  He was declared positive on Wednesday.  After a chest x-ray and CT scan on Thursday, he is stable and doing well, but will be out of action for a week. He has to take Tamiflu for 10 days.

A doctor said there were more category-A (initial stage of H1N1) patients in Gujarat. Since these hardly show symptoms, the virus may spread rapidly.  Coming back to the million-dollar question, did Modi pass on the virus to Saxena? Sources said the principal secretary (health) was on leave for a few days to attend his son’s wedding in Delhi and may have contracted the virus there. But the jury is out.