Swine flu claims first victim in Sundargarh of Odisha

The swine flu, which had made inroads into Sundargarh district with two patients testing positive for H1N1 virus, is suspected to have claimed one life.
Image used for representational purpose.
Image used for representational purpose.

ROURKELA: The swine flu, which had made inroads into Sundargarh district with two patients testing positive for H1N1 virus, is suspected to have claimed one life.

A 40-year-old woman of Bargaon block with Influenza Like Infection (ILI) was admitted to Sundargarh District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) one month back and returned home after treatment. About a week ago, she was again admitted to the DHH and shifted to VIMSAR, Burla where she died on Saturday. Though her swab sample report is awaited, it appears to be a case of swine flu, said Sundargarh Additional District Medical Officer (Public Health) Dr SP Padhi.

He further said a 60-year-old man of Gurundia block was recently shifted to Bhubaneswar for treatment and his swab sample tested positive for swine flu two days ago.
Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Rourkela Government Hospital (RGH) Dr RC Behera said a 66-year-old patient of Civil Township here was taken to Bhubaneswar and tested positive for swine flu in first week of August, adding he was cured after treatment.

Dr Padhi said earlier in the first week of August, one patient each from Rourkela and Rajgangpur had tested positive for swine flu at Bhubaneswar, but claimed that they had acquired the H1N1 virus elsewhere. He said 200 to 300 patients with ILI symptoms are daily getting screened at various Government health institutions but none of them was found to be suffering from category C.

He said for ILI patients of A and B categories, swab sample testing is not recommended and treatment is given within the district. But, for category C patients showing severe fever, sore throat, shortness of breath, blood sputum, low blood pressure, bluish colouration of nails and worsening of chronic conditions, artificial ventilation facilities are required. As none of the Government hospitals in the district have ventilator facilities, serious patients are getting shifted to VIMSAR, Burla.  
He said the SAIL’s Ispat General Hospital (IGH) at Rourkela has artificial respiration system and the State Health administration has initiated action to ensure availability of swine flu treatment for critical patients.

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