Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 4: Three cases of swine flu have been reported so far this year in Jammu region and out of them, one died few days ago here at Government Medical College and Hospital, Jammu.
A 43-year-old woman has become the first victim of swine flu in Jammu, a health official said, adding, the woman identified as Asha Rani, wife of Ashok Kumar, resident of Pounichak (Jammu), who was also a diabetics patient, was admitted in GMCH Jammu with swine flu symptoms.
He said that few days ago, the woman died in the hospital. “When her samples were tested, she was found to be positive for H1N1 virus”, Other two cases are of Udhampur.
Giving more details, he said earlier in April this year, a colonel of the Army and his teen-aged son was found to be positive for H1N1 virus in Udhampur district. He said both were tested for this dreaded virus and provided successful treatment in Command Hospital, Udhampur.
When contacted, Dr JP Singh, Epidemiologist, J&K Health Department, confirmed that one person has died due to swine flu this year while two others who were found positive for H1N1 virus were recovered fully after treatment.
He said so far 41 samples have been tested for H1N1 virus and out of these 38 have been found negative and three (one from Jammu and two from Udhampur) were found to be positive. He said out of these three, one who belongs to Jammu, succumbed to the disease before she was diagnosed.
However, he said there was nothing to panic and those who were suffering from cough, cold, soar throat and high fever should consult the doctor and get the preventive treatment. “The Health Department has made all arrangements to meet any challenge of Swing Flu. Separate isolation wards have been set up in Government Medical College and Hospital, Jammu and SMGS Hospital, besides district hospitals for treatment of swine flu patients”, he said adding adequate medicines have also been stocked.
He said though testing facility for swine flu is available in Biochemistry lab of GMCH Jammu, yet the department is also in the process of tying up with Lal Path Lab and Ranbaxy Lab to conduct tests for H1N1 virus, as many patients prefer to conduct tests in private labs.
On a question, Dr Singh said that there is some shortage of preventive vaccines, which is given to health employees dealing with swine flu/suspected swine flu patients but we are procuring the same and till the end of this month, the process of procurement will be completed.
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