Sharp rise in H1N1 deaths this month

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Sharp rise in H1N1 deaths this month

Umesh Isalkar, TNN, Jul 21, 2010, 04.32am IST

PUNE: The number of deaths in Pune due to the H1N1 influenza has seen a steady

increase in July with three more persons being declared dead due to swine flu on

Tuesday. With this, the number of casualties in July has gone up to 16, as

against nine deaths throughout last month.

" There is definitely a spurt in swine flu cases in July. The average number of

critically ill patients were not more than 10 per week during May and June. But

there is a sudden rise in critical cases requiring artificial respiration. Last

month, the mortality rate due to the H1N1 influenza vis-?-vis the number of

severely positive cases had gone down. But in July, there is a surge in swine

flu casualties as well, " said an official of the state health services.

The H1N1 influenza has claimed 264 people in the city so far.

According to health officials, Atharva Shyam Gonte (3) of Wadgaon Maval died at

the Aditya Birla Memorial Hospital on July 17. Atharva, who had been suffering

from asthma-like illness, developed symptoms of swine flu from July 2. He was

moved to the ABMH in critical condition on July 17 and died on the same day.

Another victim, Nantukirtania Nagendranath Kittunia (40) of Sangambadi Kothi in

Wakdewadi, died at Sassoon hospital on July 17. Kittunia had the onset of

illness from July 13. He was moved to Sassoon from KEM hospital on July 17, but

died the same day.

Sakshi Sunil Padwal (7) of Savindane in Shirur taluka died at sassoon hospital

on July 19. Sakshi, who was also suffering from malaria, had developed swine flu

symptoms, like fever, cough and breathlessness, from July 8.

" The throat swab reports of all the three victims came on July 20, showing them

positive for the virus, " said an official.

" The rise in the number of deaths could largely be attributed to the fact that

the flu has entered newer regions and has got entrenched in the rural areas, "

said Arun Jamkar, dean of Sassoon hospital.

" Initially, the spread of the contagion was among urbanites. Now, it has started

taking roots in the rural parts of the state, " said Sharad Agarkhedkar,

president of the city unit of the Indian Medical Association.