Second swine flu death in a week

A Dombivli resident, aged 32 years, succumbed to swine flu on Saturday morning at Kasturba Hospital. This is the second swine flu death in Mumbai in less than a week's time.

According to hospital sources, the woman was transferred from a local hospital in Dombivli, where she was admitted on May 26. Dr Mini Khetrapal, the epidemiology cell in-charge in BMC, said that the patient had a respiratory failure and no secondary ailments like diabetes or hypertension.

"She had swine flu infection symptoms for the last 8-10 days, and was put on ventilator on May 26. When her condition worsened, she was transferred yesterday," the doctor added.

Dr Khetrapal said that a delay in starting treatment leads to death. "So far in May, there have been 28 positive H1N1 cases. While there is nothing to worry about, people should ensure that they seek medical attention at the earliest," she added.