In a heartbreaking incident, a 16-month-old baby boy from Ambedkar Nagar in Worli, became the victim of swine flu, in what happens to be the first reported case in the city this year. The infant was initially taken to private hospitals in the area and to Kasturba Hospital in Chinchpokli on April 25. During this process, the infant's condition deteriorated further and he succumbed on April 28.
"This is the first swine flu-related death in the city. We are taking stock of the situation and have ordered several preventive measures to be implemented in the area," said Dr Mini Khetrapal, head of the civic body's epidemiology cell.
Following the death, local corporator of ward 197 Datta Narvankar wrote a letter to the civic body asking for preventive measures to be taken. "The parents are in their early 20s and this was their first child. While the mother stays at home, the father does odd jobs. There is a lack of awareness about the disease and most of the people go to smaller local clinics in the first few days. Since the incident, we are asking citizens to visit civic hospitals if they experience any symptoms," Narvankar said.
Swine flu spreads by droplet infection and doctors advise those infected to be away from public places so as to not spread the virus. The symptoms are similar to that of common cold. "There are total 844 cases of H1N1 reported across Maharashtra so far, of which 165 deaths have been reported," revealed Dr Pradip Awate, surveillance officer, Maharashtra.
"Vaccines are the most important preventive measure. Also, it is important to seek treatment within 48 hours and not put yourself at risk by being in crowded public places," said Dr Om Srivastava, infectious disease expert.
ANALYSIS
Swine Flu spreads quickly in congested areas through droplet infection. Even one case in an area will put others around at a high risk of infections. Those travelling to and fro from areas like Pune which have reported a large number of swine flu cases need to be more careful.
