A 23-year-old man died was the latest to die of respiratory
complications from the H1N1 virus in the capital on Thursday. With this,
the toll from swine flu is now 16, since January 1.
Meanwhile, 40 more cases of swine flu were diagnosed on Thursday making it a total of 1,211 cases this year.
Doctors said the sporadic spells of rain over the last two months and the subsequent temperature variations were causing the virus to spread.
Government officials still maintain that there is no need for vaccination this year. In 2011 and 2012, only four H1N1 cases were reported over January-February.
Doctors have recommended preventive vaccination only for high risk patients like those with existing respiratory ailments like asthma, pregnant women, and those diagnosed with problems like hypertension and diabetes.
Patients who have symptoms of any flu — cold, cough, running nose and fever — have been advised by doctors to get tested for the H1N1 virus between the third and fifth day after the onset of symptoms.
Virologists have found that besides the H1N1 virus which is the most common, H3N2 and Influenza B viral strains doing the rounds in the capital this year.
Doctors said frequent washing of hands, using a handkerchief and avoiding crowded places are advisable to prevent the flu.
Advisories have been issued to all hospitals for purchase of Tamiflu and opening of isolation wards and dedicated ventilators for swine flu patients.
Doctors said with the temperatures rising over the past few days, cases of swine flu are likely to come down.
Meanwhile, 40 more cases of swine flu were diagnosed on Thursday making it a total of 1,211 cases this year.
Doctors said the sporadic spells of rain over the last two months and the subsequent temperature variations were causing the virus to spread.
Government officials still maintain that there is no need for vaccination this year. In 2011 and 2012, only four H1N1 cases were reported over January-February.
Doctors have recommended preventive vaccination only for high risk patients like those with existing respiratory ailments like asthma, pregnant women, and those diagnosed with problems like hypertension and diabetes.
Patients who have symptoms of any flu — cold, cough, running nose and fever — have been advised by doctors to get tested for the H1N1 virus between the third and fifth day after the onset of symptoms.
Virologists have found that besides the H1N1 virus which is the most common, H3N2 and Influenza B viral strains doing the rounds in the capital this year.
Doctors said frequent washing of hands, using a handkerchief and avoiding crowded places are advisable to prevent the flu.
Advisories have been issued to all hospitals for purchase of Tamiflu and opening of isolation wards and dedicated ventilators for swine flu patients.
Doctors said with the temperatures rising over the past few days, cases of swine flu are likely to come down.
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