Swine flu death toll rises to 14 in Thane

Additional Commissioner of TMC Sameer Unhale also infected

The toll from swine flu deaths has risen to 14 persons, infected by the H1N1 virus, in Thane district. The virus is spreading fast in the city, despite precautionary measures taken by the Thane Municipal Corporation. Swine flu has even spread within the corporation wherein two of top officials have been found to be infected by the virus.

The Additional Commissioner of Thane Municipal Corporation, Sameer Unhale, recently tested positive for swine flu, followed by another official, deputy commissioner Maneesh Joshi.

“By now 292 cases have been detected in Thane city, of which 56 patients are from outside the city. Till date 14 deaths have been reported, of which 10 patients were from outside the city and four were from Thane,” said Dr RT Kendre, chief health officer of Thane corporation.

Thane corporation is all geared up to fight the epidemic and there have been various methods used to alert citizens about the virus and the precautions to be taken. Recently, a highlevel team from NCDC (National Center for Disease Control) had visited Thane to examine the rising cases of swine flu and other epidemic fevers. The disease started taking its toll since April and was worse by June.

“The Thane Municipal Corporation has arranged a special ward at a corporation-run hospital in Kalwa where there is a special isolated ward for swine flu patients with six beds in it. We have also guided doctors and attendants to take precautionary measures. We have also had meetings with doctors of private hospitals and guided them,” Kendre further added.

The civic body has carried out alertness campaigns such as posters, wall papers and hoardings about the disease and how to prevent it.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Hospital in Thane (aka Kalwa Hospital) also has been given a dedicated helpline number for the diseased.

Thane Municipal Corporation has been urging people to wear masks in crowded areas and also not to travel if not necessary.

“If doctors see unusual fever, they should go for a swab test. If the infection is diagnosed early it will be treated early and thus it will not spread to multiple organs or get complicated,” said Dr Om Shrivastav, an expert on infectious diseases.

Washing hands regularly , wearing masks in crowded areas, keeping oneself hydrated, a balanced diet and refraining from touch of those infected may prevent the disease, said Dr Kendre.

Thane corporation is all geared up to fight the epidemic and there have been various methods used to alert citizens about the virus and the precautions to be taken