Swine flu: Delhi sees as many as 320 H1N1 virus cases amid battle with vector-borne diseases

New Delhi: The national capital has reported as many as 320 cases of swine flu so far since January 2017, as per the data provided by the Delhi government on Tuesday.

According to a senior government official, two people have succumbed to the deadly H1N1 virus in the national capital.

Latest data showed that till July 16, 2017, H1N1 virus affected 13,188 people and claimed lives of 632 across the country.

Maharashtra, with 300 deaths out of the 2,738 cases reported, is the worst hit, followed by Gujarat (75), Kerala (63) and Rajasthan (59), as per the latest data. Telangana and Tamil Nadu registered 17 and 15 deaths respectively.

Symptoms of H1N1 infection include fever, cough, nasal secretion, fatigue, headache, body ache and sore throat.

While a vaccine shot is the best way to prevent swine flu, frequent hand-washing and avoiding crowded places are among the precautions one should take to avoid catching the infection.

Experts warn that the number of swine flu cases would go up in the national capital in the coming days.

Generally, Delhi sees swine flu cases in the month of September, but this year, it is seeing the cases of vector-borne diseases combined with the H1NI virus, which is a deadly combination.

Currently, Delhi is battling vector-borne diseases, including dengue, chikungunya and malaria.

According to the latest municipal report, at least 30 fresh cases of dengue were reported last week, taking the number of people affected by the vector-borne disease in the city this year to 180.

While the chikungunya cases stand at 195, the total number of malaria cases recorded till July 22 has shot up to 230.

Quoting figures of the National Vector-Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP), Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain said, till July 16, at least 23,094 cases and 32 deaths due to dengue have been reported across the country.

Amid rising number of cases of malaria, chikungunya and dengue, the Delhi government has decided to launch a major campaign to raise awareness among people about methods of prevention.