Woman dies of swine flu at PGI

Tribune News Service

Banur, February 1

A swine flu death was reported at the PGI, Chandigarh, on January 30. The PGI authorities confirmed the death of a 27-year-old woman due to swine flu virus (H1N1) on Saturday night.

A resident of Nandiali village, about 3km from here, the woman was admitted to Gian Sagar Hospital after she began sneezing and coughing on January 26.

Baljinder Singh, the brother-in-law of the deceased, said her health deteriorated while she was being treated at Gian Sagar Hospital.

Suspecting it to be a case of swine flu, doctors at Gian Sagar Hospital sent her to the PGI where she died. Baljinder Singh claimed that she had tested positive for the H1N1 virus.

Panic spread among residents as the news of swine flu death spread in the village. Family members cremated the body on Saturday taking all precautionary measure recommended by the doctors.

Meanwhile, the district health authorities swung into action and a team of doctors visited the family in the village.

Health officials examined the family members of the deceased and advised them to take preventive measures.

Neelam Bhardwaj, Civil Surgeon, was not available for comments despite repeated phone calls made to her till late this evening.

3 confirmed cases reported at facility

One suspected case of swine flu was reported from Chandigarh, while three confirmed cases were reported at the PGI, Chandigarh. A 40-year-old man, a resident of Sector 14, was admitted to the GMSH-16 with suspected flu symptoms. Three patients, including a 49-year-old resident of Sector 70, Mohali, a 62-year-old woman from Bagrian, and a 55-year-old woman from Patiala in Punjab were admitted to the PGI on Sunday after their reports confirmed H1N1 infection.