Swine flu: 44 fresh cases, one death

LUCKNOW: A suspected patient of swine flu died, while 44 fresh cases were reported in the state capital on Friday. The deceased was undergoing treatment at a hospital.

The total number of cases reported in Lucknow are now 288 while the total number of cases in the state has reached 546 (including 73 fresh cases on Friday) so far. Doctors claim that ignorance over swine flu is contributing to its spread. Cases have come up where children tested swine flu positive after parents and also neighbours caught the infection.

A child tested positive for swine flu after his father was affected, while three families in the same locality on the Rae Bareilly road got swine flu infection. “It’s a protocol when one such case is reported the entire family and neighbourhood should take highest precaution for a few days so that they may not get the infection,” said a senior doctor. Doctors said people should avoid crowded places including bus and railway stations and market places, especially those where the ventilation is not proper. “Keep distance from people who sneeze or are suffering from flu. Have a balanced diet to keep immunity high and take care of kids who are more vulnerable to infection,” said Dr Sandeep Kapoor, director Health city Trauma Centre and Superspeciality Hospital.

SEPARATE OPDS, LEAVES CANCELLED

Keeping in view the increasing number of swine flu cases and also spurt in the number of suspected cases, the leaves of those doctors and officials who are looking after arrangements for swine flu patients have been cancelled in Lucknow.

Also the hospitals have now started separate OPDs for such patients.