Click to play videoNew Delhi: Four more people in different parts of the country tested positive for swine flu on Monday. This has pushed the total tally of swine flu in India to 64.
The condition of a 64-year-old woman, who is admitted at the Deen Dayal Upadhyay (DDU) hospital in the Capital, is critical.
There was panic in the isolation ward at the hospital on Sunday night after the woman suffered a severe asthma attack and was put on ventilator.
This could be a warning bell, as in the US many people who died of swine flu had underlying symptoms like heart disease, diabetes, blood pressure and even pregnancy. But the doctors at the hospital say it was her asthma medication which made her more vulnerable to the virus.
“She uses steroids and to treat asthma that actually suppresses your immune system. Low levels of immunity could make you more prone to infections,” says MS DDu, Dr Narendra Singh.
Meanwhile, Chennai with two confirmed swine cases is the latest city to join the list. A couple who arrived in Chennai from the US on June 13 has tested positive to the flu.
“There is a huge inflow of passengers from three airports in Tamil Nadu. So far samples of 39 have been collected, however only four tested positive,” says Tamil Nadu health secretary, VK Subburaj.
To tackle these growing numbers and to ensure faster checking the Central Government is now taking measures.
“Eighteen more laboratories will be established to test the swine flu soon. Right now there are only two laboratories. As of now there are two test to confirm the H1N1 virus but now only one test will be enough for the test for the flu,” says Union Health Secretary Naresh Dayal.
While the Government is taking measures, it is important for everyone to be aware of the problem and more importantly to co-operate with them.
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