Swine flu bites hard: 18 cases in a single day, 16 alone from the city

Mumbai is feeling the sting of the swine flu virus. On June 23, data of which was released on Monday, by the civic health department, the state recorded 18 new cases of swine flu, out of which 16 cases was reported from the city alone. And the reason for the sudden rise in patients suffering from the flu is the sudden change of temperature.

The figures also reveal that 108 swine flu cases were recorded between June 16 and June 23. The corresponding figure for last year during this period was just

three. “Eighteen cases on June 23 is easily the highest number of new swine flu cases registered on a single day so far this year. It is shocking that from an average of two cases per day, it suddenly rose to 18,” said an officer of the civic health department.

According to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) sources, 285 cases of swine flu have been reported from the city this year.

“The H1N1 virus is spreading due to the fluctuation in temperature and high moisture content in the air. People are advised to take precautionary measures as more cases are being reported on a daily basis,” the health official added.

Public health experts say patients are coming in with new symptoms of the disease. “They are complaining of diarrhoea, sore throat and vomiting. Many of those affected are coming late for treatment as a result of which the disease is spreading,” the health officer said.

Over the past one week, BMC has reported more than 1,000 cases of fever. Dr Padmaja Keskar, executive health officer of the BMC, said seasonal flu is common in this time of the year. “Since the symptoms are the same, swine flu patients are hesitant to consult during the initial phase,” added Dr. Keskar.