Samples to be tested in Pune to check for H1N1 virus mutation

Concerned over the increasing number of patients with symptoms of swine flu in Rajasthan, the health department has decided to send throat swap samples of people with symptoms of the viral infection to the Institute of Virology in Pune.

Despite the rise in temperature, cases of H1N1 influenza have been increasing across the state. The viral flu, which is generally prevalent during the winters, is now being seen in the summers and has started worrying medical experts.

Doctors say that there is mutation of the virus that can sustain during high temperature.

Dr Aditya Atreya, additional director rural health said, “To find out if there is any mutation of the H1N1 virus, we will be sending the throat swap samples of people with suspected symptoms to the Institute of Virology in Pune either on Tuesday or Wednesday.”

State health department figures, state that between April 1 and April 25, there have been 95 people have tested positive for swine flu and seven have succumbed to the viral infection.

Between January and April 25 this year, 513 samples were tested out of which 136 were found to be positive and 17 people have died in the state, two of the H1N1 deaths were reported from outside the state.

In Bikaner a pregnant woman, Nirma (25) who was admitted to the Prince Bijay Singh Memorial hospital a couple of days back, died late on Monday due to swine flu. Dr. VB Singh, at the hospital said H1N1 virus has become virulent with the rise in temperature and may have mutated.