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Written By: Admin | Updated : September 25, 2012 3:47 PM IST
There is an alarmingly high mortality rate among those afflicted by swine flu, despite the Madhya Pradesh health department downplaying the swine flu incidence. In Bhopal, seven out of 28 patients testing positive for H1N1 virus have succumbed during treatment. The death toll in Indore due to the dreaded virus is five.
This time a noteworthy feature of swine flu scare is the fact that a number of doctors are also falling prey to the infection. On Monday, two doctors of LBS Hospital in Bhopal have tested positive for swine flu. Two doctors in Jabalpur are being treated for swine flu. Another doctor, tested positive for the disease, has since been discharged. 26 persons have tested positive in Jabalpur but no death has been reported.
The directorate of health has made it mandatory for all the doctors and paramedical staff coming in direct contact with swine flu patients to get themselves vaccinated. "We are calling it focal outbreak as the disease is prevalent more in specific pockets while not so in other areas. In Maharashtra, the situation is worse. Over 1,100 people have tested positive and 68 deaths reported due to swine flu and there it has been declared an epidemic. In MP too, the situation is worsening. Climate is also conducive for growth of H1N1 virus but to say that we are ill-prepared won't be correct. Had it been so, there would have been more patients and more causality," Dr Thassu told.
Few days ago swine flu scare seemed to be fading as most of the suspected swine flu patients were testing negative and those admitted for treatment were responding well. Dr KK Thassu, in-charge of swine flu cell at the directorate of health, had issued a circular asking people not to be alarmed of swine flu as it is no more an epidemic but only an endemic disease which could be cured through medication. But the situation has changed radically since then.
According to health officials, the state has reported 34 confirmed cases of H1N1 infection. On Saturday, nine out of 11 samples sent for confirmation of swine flu have been tested positive, which is a clear indication that the infection is on the rise and is not responding to treatment.
According to the chief medical and health officer (CMHO), Dr Pankaj Shukla, the situation in Bhopal appeared bad because patients from all over the state were coming here for treatment. "This season is conducive for spread of infectious diseases but we are keeping a tight leash over the situation and constant monitoring is being carried out," he added.
Swine Flu - what you need to know
