March 26, 2012

India's Mumbai reports first swine flu case

After the H1N1 virus remained dormant for nine months in India's financial capital, Mumbai has recorded its first swine flu case, reports said on Friday (Mar 23).

A six-year-old boy from Mumbais Mulund area was hospitalised after he tested positive for the H1N1 virus two days ago.

At least seven people were killed and over 90 people were affected by swine flu since the virus struck Maharashtras Pune district in March.

Meanwhile in Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy has alerted the health authorities after 27 swine flu cases were reported in several hospitals in the state.

According to reports, Reddy on Thursday (Mar 22) held a review meeting with the officials on the outbreak.
 

Officials told him that they are keeping an eye on the situation and would take proper measures to prevent any spurt in the swine flu cases. Rajasthan has recorded 28 cases and five deaths so far.

Interestingly, H1N1 virus has mostly targeted women and children in the north Indian state where three out of the five deceased were women.

An eight-year-old girl, who died on March 1, was the first case of swine flu in Rajasthan. A 26-year-old woman also died of the disease. The government on Thursday said that as many as 12 people succumbed to swine flu across India so far.

The Emergency Medical Relief Division of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said it is following the developments in the states of Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka for H1N1 cases.