14 swine flu cases a day on average in Haryana in 2019

All patients who are either suspected or have the virus should be kept in isolation to prevent it from spreading DEEPALI AGARWAL, State nodal officer for swine flu

swine flu situation in Haryana seems to be assuming worrying proportions with 14 positive cases being reported every day on an average in the state.

State nodal officer for swine flu, Dr Deepali Agarwal, said, “From January 1 to February 6, as many as 522 cases of swine flu were reported from the state. Two deaths—one each from Hisar and Fatehabad—were also reported during the period. She also revealed that in 2018, the state witnessed 61 positive cases, of which seven patients died, four in Hisar, two in Sirsa and one in Jind.

Health department data also shows that between January 1 and February 6, Hisar had the highest number of cases (165) followed by Bhiwani and Faridabad had 90 and 60 cases. While Hisar civil surgeon could not be contacted despite repeated attempts, Bhiwani civil surgeon Dr AS Gupta said they are trying their best to treat suspected cases due to swine flu. “We can’t stop swine flu cases but deaths can be prevented by timely intervention,” he added. Meanwhile, a health official, on the condition of anonymity, said the health department is hiding the total number of deaths reported due to swine flu.

The official said that two Swine Flu deaths were in Yamunanagar alone and two others Ambala, which were not reported by the health department.

On being asked about what the health department is doing to tackle swine flu, the nodal officer said the government is providing free treatment in all hospitals in the state. “Besides, teams of doctors are conducting awareness programmes at schools, colleges, and villages across the state,” said Agarwal. “The health department had earlier issued directions to government and private hospitals to have special wards so that suspected cases of swine flu are screened at the earliest. All patients who are either suspected or have the virus should be kept in isolation to prevent it from spreading,” she added.