Swine-Flu Claims 101 Lives And More, In Maharashtra

Swine-flu or H1N1 virus has claimed 101 lives in Maharashtra and the number of cases have increased in the months of March and April.

Since January 1, swine-flu or H1N1 virus has claimed 101 lives in Maharashtra. Due to prevailing hot weather conditions the number of cases increased across the state in March and April, reported a top official.

"Presently, the number of //deaths in the state is 101. Since March and April, there has been sudden increase in the number of cases owing to severe weather that we are currently experiencing," (Dr.) Pradip Awate, State Surveillance Officer, Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme of the National Centre for Disease Control told IANS.

Four H1N1 Deaths in Mumbai
Mumbai reported four H1N1 deaths and 69 new cases on Friday.

‘Maharashtra is the first state to launch voluntary, free influenza vaccination to combat H1N1 and control health crisis.’

The maximum number of deaths, 32, have been reported from Pune urban and rural areas, followed by Nashik with 20 deaths so far, he added.

The government has sensitized the people to immediately report to a doctor in case they experience symptoms of H1N1 infection besides reducing social activities and exercising extreme health precautions, he added.

Since 2015, the state government has made influenza a notifiable disease and Maharashtra became the first state to launch voluntary, free influenza vaccination.

66-Year-Old Doctor Succumbs to H1N1 Virus At a Private Hospital in Rajasthan
Three persons, including two women died of swine flu, while seven others were found to be H1N1 positive in a fresh spell of the virus in parts of Rajasthan.

"So far, we have vaccinated over 124,000 people falling in the high-risk groups, including those suffering from diabetes, hypertension and others, who are susceptible to H1N1 infections," Awate said.

Since 2009, when 14-year-old Rhia Shaikh, a Pune schoolgirl became the first case of Swine-Flu death in India, Maharashtra has recorded a little over 3,000 deaths till April 2017, he revealed.

H1N1 Virus to Die as Temperature Rise, Says Goa Health Minister
There have been more than 1,400 deaths in Goa due to Swine flu and 26,000 people are infected with the deadly virus.

Recently, Health Minister Deepak Sawant conducted a review meeting to take stock of the situation and evolve strategies to combat and contain the health crisis.

Woman Dies of H1N1 Virus in Delhi, Toll Reaches 12
A 24-year-old woman died of swine flu in Delhi after delivering a baby; this takes the death toll to 12. Fifteen people have been tested positive on March 18.

Source-IANS