33 H1N1 Deaths in Maharashtra

The swine flu outbreak is causing panic in Maharashtra, India with at least one person succumbing to the dreaded H1N1 virus a day. The latest victim of the disease is a 58-year-old man hailing from Uttar Pradesh, who died last Thursday. Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) epidemiologist Dr Mangala Gomare said, "The victim had travelled from UP to Mumbai on January 24. He had later exhibited symptoms of cough, cold and fever. Eventually he was admitted to Kasturba Hospital on February 3."

He died within 48 hours of admission to the Hospital. He suffered from respiratory failure as his lungs collapsed. He had developed pneumonia due to his infection.

Five new cases of H1N1 virus were detected in Mumbai on Friday, taking the count of confirmed cases in the city to 29.

Maharashtra which has confirmed 135 cases of swine flu since January this year. "Details of positive cases are informed to Ministry of Health for contact tracing. A rapid survey in the community is conducted for finding further symptomatic cases," said Dr Mangala Gomare.

The state health authorities have identified 128 government-run hospitals and reserved isolation facilities of five beds each in every hospital to ensure adequate outreach. "There is no influx of infected patients in the cities, facilities have been spread out up to the block level in districts across Maharashtra," said Dr Pradip Awate, in-charge of H1N1 cell in the State.

Source-Medindia