BHUBANESWAR: The deadly swine flu which claimed two more lives in the State on Sunday has continued to spread its tentacles. As on Sunday, the footprints of the viral fever has been reported from 22 districts of Odisha.
A 97-year-old man and a three-year-old girl died of the fever on Sunday. The nonagenarian is a native of Khurda, the most-affected district whereas the girl is from Balasore.
With the fresh deaths, swine flu toll in the State has gone up to 16 while the positive cases have also climbed. On the day, 30 samples were sent for investigation out of which 11 tested positive, taking the total number of affected to 227 since January.
In fact, the total number of people who have tested H1N1 positive since August 1 is 220, which says a lot about the outbreak of the disease. That 16 persons have died out of 227, who tested positive, means that the casualty rate stands at eight per cent.
The transmission footprints of the flu which was mainly concentrated to a few coastal districts has turned widespread with two-thirds of the State reporting its incidence. Tribal districts such as Malkangiri, Sonepur, Boudh, Kalahandi, Keonjhar and Sundargarh have gradually reported the attacks.
Since health care system in these districts is weak and not many tend to consult doctors, the actual outbreak could remain unknown. Besides, an outbreak will also be difficult to control for the same reasons.
Health Department sources said, there is no likelihood of the infections to abate at this point of time. Until the climatic conditions change, the transmission may not come down shortly.
So far, Khurda continues to be the epicentre with 108 positive cases and seven deaths. In neighbouring Cuttack, as many as 31 cases have been reported while three persons have died. Since most of the positive cases have come in from hospitals of the Capital City, there is a sense of panic. In many schools, students who have flu-like symptoms are also being advised to take rest and get doctor consultations before resuming classes so that the infection does not spread.
Of the 11 positive cases reported on the day, five were from SCB Medical College and Hospital, two from Apollo Hospital, one each from Sum Hospital, Kar Clinic and Vivekananda Hospital. Three each of the affected are from Khurda and four are from Cuttack while one belongs to Balasore. Five of the infected as female.So far, as many as 649 samples have been tested of which 227 have been positive
Panic grips State
The deadly virus spreads to 22 districts
Flu spread from a few coastal dists to tribal dists of Malkangiri, Sonepur, Boudh, Kalahandi, Keonjhar and Sundargarh
Khurda continues to be the epicentre with 108 positive cases and seven deaths
31 cases reported in Cuttack and three persons have died
In many schools, students who have flu-like symptoms are also being advised to take rest and get doctor consultations before resuming classes
Of 11 positive cases reported on Sunday, five from SCBMCH, two from Apollo Hospital, one each from Sum Hospital, Kar Clinic and Vivekananda Hospita