20 fresh cases of swine flu in Delhi

 The national capital on Friday reported 20 fresh cases of swine flu taking the total figure to 98 so far this year.

New Delhi: The national capital on Friday reported 20 fresh cases of swine flu taking the total figure to 98 so far this year.

Three persons have so far died due to swine flu in the city.

"Fifty per cent cases today (20 positive out of 163 tests) as compared to yesterday (6 positive out of 25 tests). We have already nominated 11 District Surveillance Officers (DSOs) who have taken stocks of medicines and are checking that standard operating procedures for treatment of HINI cases are being followed by designated 22 hospitals," said R N Das, a member of the five-member constituted by Health department to review swine flu cases.

Health department has nominated 11 District Surveillance Officers (DSOs) to check whether standard operating procedures for treatment of HINI cases are being followed by hospitals.

Government is also in the process of adding four more laboratories, two each in private and government sectors to the existing eight laboratories (five private and three government), where one can get themselves tested for H1N1.

"Swine influenza A (H1N1) virus spreads in the same way as the seasonal flu and even the symptoms are similar to the symptoms of regular flu which includes fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, vomitting and fatigue...," said a Health Ministry official.

"However, it can be serious for elderly or children with low immunity or people who have health complications like heart diseases, cancer, HIV, diabetes or pregnant women, elderly or children with low immunity.

"Infected people can pass the infection to others a day before symptoms develop and up to seven or more days after becoming sick," said a health expert.

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