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Swine flu death toll mounts to 21

SHIMLA: The number of deaths resulting from swine flu has touched 21 and a total of 174 cases testing positive from various parts of the state.

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Tribune News Service

Shimla, February 12

The number of deaths resulting from swine flu has touched 21 and a total of 174 cases testing positive from various parts of the state.

Though Vidhan Sabha Speaker Rajeev Bindal, who underwent swine flu treatment at the PGI, returned to attend the budget session today positive cases are still pouring in from all over the state.

“So far 21 people have lost their lives to swine flu and 174 people have tested positive but there appears to be a slight decline in the number of positive cases,” said Dr Sonam Negi.

He said the testing facilities were available at Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC), Tanda Medical College, Kangra; Central Research Institute, Kasauli; and at District Public Health Centre in the Zonal Hospital, Mandi.

The issue of swine flu was raised even in the Assembly with legislator, cutting across party lines had expressed concern over the issue.

Testing resumes at Mandi zonal hospital today

Mandi: The H1N1 testing lab will become functional at zonal hospital, Mandi, from Wednesday. It had become dysfunctional for the past many days as the testing machine had developed snag.

The machine was set up at the laboratory on Tuesday for the purpose and required kit was purchased to conduct the test for the swine flu virus.

So far, 18 deaths have been reported because of swine flu in the state, and five victims were natives of Mandi district. According to the latest update from the district health authorities, 17 patients have tested positive for the H1N1 virus.They are undergoing treatment at medical College at Ner Chowk, Mandi, the IGMC, Shimla, and Tanda medical college in Kangra district.

Confirming the development, Jeevanand Chauhan, Chief Medical Officer, Mandi, said the testing machine had been repaired and required kit purchased. The test for swine flu detection will be resumed at the zonal hospital on Wednesday onward.

He said, “It will be a great help to doctors if the patients are diagnosed with the swine flu virus well in time. Earlier, we were sending the blood samples for lab testing to the IGMC Shimla, which took a lot of time and delayed the treatment.”

“There is no need to panic and people are advised to keep themselves warm to avoid contracting cold. Those having high fever, cold, are more prone to contracting H1N1 virus. It generally affects people with low immunity, especially the elderly and children” he added.

The CMO said “it has been observed that people suffering from cold are visiting private clinics or quacks, which delays the detection of H1N1 virus and may sometimes prove fatal for the patient. So people suffering with high fever, cold and body ache are advised to visit government hospitals in time for the treatment, which are well equipped for the purpose.”

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