Three new H1N1 cases reported
HYDERABAD: Three new cases of swine flu have been reported in the past two days in the city, taking the tally of total affected in the state to 82. No new cases of death from the disease have been reported though.
Dr Subhakar K, AP State Swine Flu Coordinator, put to rest any fears regarding the alternating high and low temperatures in the city over the past couple of days due to evening showers, stating, “Any changes in weather will indeed affect the spread of the virus, not those already affected. Anyway, none of the recent cases reported are due to the weather changes.”
Pointing out that the country records 2.5-5 lakh deaths every year due to the common cold or flu, he stressed that the present swine flu cases too should be treated along the same lines.
“Citizens needn’t panic. Hospitals are well-equipped with the Tamiflu anti-viral drug. Also the authorities are aware of how to handle the disease.
Just like any other flu, even swine flu requires a great level of awareness among people on issues like covering their mouth while coughing in public or undergoing health checkup if affected by flu, if it is to be put under control.”
He also downplayed recent newspaper reports about the death of a swine flu affected woman in Jeedimetla who passed away while on her way to hospital. “It might not have been a confirmed case of swine flu. So this particular case might have been of an unconfirmed diagnosis of swine flu”, he added.