Five more patients have died of H1N1 influenza at Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) Soura, taking the death toll of people killed by the Swine Flu to 21.
Confirming the deaths, official sources at SKIMS told Kashmir Post that three patients have died in last three weeks.
“Two women – an 80-year-old and another 90 years of age — both residents of Budgam were cases of comorbidities. Both were admitted in the hospital and died. A 41-year-old mail patient of Ganderbal also died,” they said.
Sources said two more patients including a woman died of H1N1 influenza in the hospital on December 9.
With these deaths, the death toll due to H1N1 influenza in Valley has risen to 21.
According to sources SKIMS has received at least 181 patients with Swine Flu symptoms in last two months from across the valley and 81 have been discharged after recovering fully.
“Six H1N1 patients are presently undergoing treatment at SKIMS,” sources said.
Public Relation Officer SKIMS,KulsoomBhat, claimed said most patients did not die of H1N1 influenza but died of other ailments.
“Influenza affects mostly those patients who are ill. We have sufficient supplies including vaccines, masks and Tamiflu tablets,” she said.
Bhat said there was no need to panic but cautioned that a person having fever, cough, sneezing and running noose could be a case of H1N1 influenza.
“It does not mean that the person will be H1N1 positive. It may be any type of flu. These are common viral infections, which happen in any part of the world,” she said.
Attendants of patient, who was being treated for Swine Flu at SKIMS Soura, alleged that hospitals in the valley have failed to make people aware about the precautionary measures to avoid falling prey to the seasonal flu.
They said the SKIMS should inform people about the dos and don’ts.
A doctor in the hospital admitted that there was rise in number of H1N1 influenza.
In the third week of November, SKIMS authorities predicted a rise in the cases due to prevailing cold weather condition in the Valley.
In 2010, World Health Organisation (WHO) had announced that the H1N1 influenza virus has moved into the post-pandemic period.
Swine Flu : With 5 more deaths at SKIMS toll rises to 21
