Child dies of swine flu, family members under observation

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, January 28

Following the death of a 3-year-old child due to swine flu, the Health Department sprung into action and gave medicines to all family members of the victim as a precautionary measure. The department officials said the child was diagnosed as “mildly positive for swine flu”.

The child, along with his parents, had been to China earlier and had fallen sick after coming to the city. The parents had got him admitted to a private hospital. As the symptoms matched with those of coronavirus, the Health Department had got him tested for coronavirus infection.

Civil Surgeon Dr Prabhdeep Kaur Johal said, “The child tested negative for coronavirus, but positive for mild swine flu and died on January 26.” She said the child also suffered from brain infection.

Dr Johal said all family members and others who had come in contact with the victim too were tested for any infection. “The reports of all the persons have come negative. We have given Tamiflu medicine to all of them as a precaution,” he said.

The Health Department has also set up isolation wards and asked all private hospitals to report the arrival of all suspected cases to health officials immediately so that tests can be got done from reputed labs run by the government.

The Civil Surgeon also advised people not to panic but take ample precautions. She said people should consult doctors at government hospitals for right diagnosis and not fall prey to quacks or unqualified physicians.