Two die of swine flu in city hospitals
The victims, women aged 60 and 34, died at Kasturba and Jaslok hospitals respectively.
A 60-year-old woman from Badlapur, and a 34-year-old woman from Kharghar, died of swine flu on Thursday, taking the death toll in the state this year to 27. BMC has detected at least 10 cases, including two minors, in the last five days, and worried health officials are in the process of issuing advisories to schools and colleges, besides reviewing their preparedness.
Doctors at the civic-run Kasturba Hospital at Arthur Road, who were treating the Badlapur resident, said that she was severely diabetic. She had been admitted with shortness of breath and was immediately shifted to the isolation ward. Doctors said that her granddaughter was treated for swine flu in Dombivili, and that she had contracted the infection from her.
The 10 patients in Mumbai are residents of Santacruz (W), Malwani, Gokudham in Goregaon, Borivali (W), Andheri (E), Mulund, Malabar Hill and Bhulabai Desai Road. Of these, a 65-year-old man from Mulund is critical, while rest are stable. “The prolonged winter seems to be reason behind the spurt, but people should not panic. One must see a doctor as soon as basic symptoms such as cough, fever, headache, and body ache are observed,” Assistant Municipal Commissioner Sanjay Deshmukh said, adding that the civic body is in the process of issuing advisories to school and colleges. “Those who are symptomatic should avoid going to crowded places,” he added.
This newspaper reported on Thursday that swine flu, which has killed 27 people and infected 113 in various parts of the state, is knocking on Mumbai’s door (Swine flu knocking on Mumbai's doors, MM, February 5). The civic body has now launched a helpline (022 24114000) where citizens can call for details regarding the disease. Two ventilator beds have been reserved in civic hospitals for swine flu patients and the authorities have organised a refresher course for medical and paramedical staff at all hospitals on Friday.
According to BMC’s epidemiologist, Dr Mangala Gomare, all patients’ close contacts with any symptoms will be put on prophylaxis treatment. “There is no need for the citizens to wear masks. They should just take precautions while sneezing and coughing in public by using a handkerchief and if they have any symptoms, they should stay indoors,” Gomare said, adding that three laboratories in the city, at Kasturba Hospital, Haffkine and SRL Religare, were carrying out swine flu tests.
A 60-year-old woman from Badlapur, and a 34-year-old woman from Kharghar, died of swine flu on Thursday, taking the death toll in the state this year to 27. BMC has detected at least 10 cases, including two minors, in the last five days, and worried health officials are in the process of issuing advisories to schools and colleges, besides reviewing their preparedness.
Doctors at the civic-run Kasturba Hospital at Arthur Road, who were treating the Badlapur resident, said that she was severely diabetic. She had been admitted with shortness of breath and was immediately shifted to the isolation ward. Doctors said that her granddaughter was treated for swine flu in Dombivili, and that she had contracted the infection from her.
The Kharghar resident was shifted to Jaslok Hospital from a hospital in Vashi on Monday. She died of multiorgan failure. Doctors said that her case worsened as she was put on steroids by the doctors in Vashi, which masked her swine flu symptoms for long time.
The 10 patients in Mumbai are residents of Santacruz (W), Malwani, Gokudham in Goregaon, Borivali (W), Andheri (E), Mulund, Malabar Hill and Bhulabai Desai Road. Of these, a 65-year-old man from Mulund is critical, while rest are stable. “The prolonged winter seems to be reason behind the spurt, but people should not panic. One must see a doctor as soon as basic symptoms such as cough, fever, headache, and body ache are observed,” Assistant Municipal Commissioner Sanjay Deshmukh said, adding that the civic body is in the process of issuing advisories to school and colleges. “Those who are symptomatic should avoid going to crowded places,” he added.
This newspaper reported on Thursday that swine flu, which has killed 27 people and infected 113 in various parts of the state, is knocking on Mumbai’s door (Swine flu knocking on Mumbai's doors, MM, February 5). The civic body has now launched a helpline (022 24114000) where citizens can call for details regarding the disease. Two ventilator beds have been reserved in civic hospitals for swine flu patients and the authorities have organised a refresher course for medical and paramedical staff at all hospitals on Friday.
According to BMC’s epidemiologist, Dr Mangala Gomare, all patients’ close contacts with any symptoms will be put on prophylaxis treatment. “There is no need for the citizens to wear masks. They should just take precautions while sneezing and coughing in public by using a handkerchief and if they have any symptoms, they should stay indoors,” Gomare said, adding that three laboratories in the city, at Kasturba Hospital, Haffkine and SRL Religare, were carrying out swine flu tests.
