So far Maharashtra has recorded 1235 cases of swine flu and the death toll for the state stands at 232, confirmed Dr Pradip Awate, state’s surveillance officer.
As Mumbai reported two more swine flu deaths in the past 10 days — a 32-year-old pregnant woman from Dharavi and a 2-year-old child — taking the toll to seven, it is a case of delayed diagnosis and travel that is playing a major role.
Both Thane and Mira-Bhayander recorded swine flu deaths months before Mumbai. “We have recorded 30 swine flu cases so far and three casualties so far,” said Dr Ram Kendre, health officer, Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC). “Majority of our patients have a travel history to areas with a large number of swine flu cases like Nashik, Pune and Aurangabad,” Dr Kendre said. One of Mumbai’s seven casualties is a woman from Thane who came to the financial capital for treatment and succumbed to the virus.
So far Maharashtra has recorded 1235 cases of swine flu and the death toll for the state stands at 232, confirmed Dr Pradip Awate, state’s surveillance officer.
“We will see a fall in the incidence now that monsoon is here,” Dr Kendre said.
Most patients have also seen a delay in diagnosis, going first to several private clinics. “One week is a long time. The first point of contact like a general practitioner or a doctor at the primary healthcare centre needs to be sensitized,” said infectious diseases expert Dr Om Srivastava.
“Also, patients too should demand a swab test if they don’t understand the symptoms they are experiencing,” he said.
“Generally people seek care only when they face serious respiratory problems by which time it is too late,” said Dr Arvind Kunde, physician at Kohinoor Hospital in Kurla that saw the first swine flu death.
Analysis
Swine flu is not deadly if treated on time and hence patients need to seek care when flu-like symptoms first appear. It is the delay in seeking care that could prove costly. Pregnant women, the elderly and children are high-risk group along with anyone with low immunity or travel history to a place with a large number of swine flu cases.
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