Swine flu update-- 2 more die in Mumbai, toll reaches 49 since January

The year began with the deadly swine flu virus claiming many lives across the country.As temperatures dipped with the advent of summer the virus slowly waned. But again with monsoon at its peak and increasing humidity in the air, the virus seems to again get a grip. For the past week, nearly two deaths due to swine flu have been reported from across Mumbai. The DNA also reported two more swine flu deaths on Monday taking the toll to 49 since January out of which 15 deaths have been reported in August alone. Read: Swine flu symptoms and signs you MUST be aware of

The H1N1 virus affects the respiratory system and affects the lungs and inner mucosal lining of the respiratory tract. As the condition of the lungs worsens, their oxygen carrying capacity decreases leading to breathlessness. Read: Is swine flu curable?

The DNA also reported that hospitals have been doing all they can to prevent the spread of the disease. Dr. Pradip shah, a physician at the Fortis Hospital Mulund, informed that hospitals are testing whoever complaints of high fever, sore throat and runny nose for swine flu. The test results are available within 24 hours and if found positive, the patient are immediately put on Tamiflu medication.

Dr Mini Khetarpal, an epidemiologist at BMC said that the virus has become an endemic in the city and is no more seasonal. She recommended that pregnant women should get vaccinated against the virus.

Image source: Shutterstock

Read this in Marathi

---