New Delhi: A swine flu patient died while 33 people tested positive for the Influenza A (H1N1) virus in the national capital yesterday, taking the toll to four and total number of cases to 154 this year, an official said. The health ministry however assured that the situation was under control and there was no need to impose travel restrictions.
“Thirty-three people tested positive for swine flu and one death has been reported today (Tuesday) from Sir Ganga Ram Hospital,” a Delhi Health Service doctor told IANS.
According to doctors, there has been a sudden spurt in the number of cases. In January alone, there was one death and 39 cases, while February so far has seen three deaths and 115 cases.
According to Delhi government, only 78 cases and one death were reported in 2012.
Health ministry officials said the World Health Organisation, while declaring swine flu pandemic to be over in August 2010, conveyed that the virus would take on the behaviour of seasonal flu and continue to circulate for some years to come. Hence, in the post-pandemic period, localised outbreaks of varying magnitude with significant level of H1N1 transmission are expected, they said, adding there has been a spurt in the number of cases in Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Rajasthan and Punjab. Officials said anti-viral drug Oseltamivir is available free through the state public health system. IANS
