Indore: A builder died while three others tested H1N1 positive as frequent fluctuation in day and night temperature put the officials of district health department on toes to check the spread of deadly H1N1 virus attack. The builder died on Sunday night. Integrated Diseases Surveillance Programme nodal officer Dr Amit Malakar said Jain who was a builder was admitted to Vishesh Hospital on January 9 after which he was shifted to Bombay Hospital.
He died while undergoing treatment in Bombay Hospital. His family members had taken him to Bombay Hospital against doctors’ advice from Vishesh Hospital. “Jain’s swab samples were sent for testing to Bhopal laboratory on January 12 but his reports are still pending. Meanwhile, we received four sample reports out of which one has been tested positive. The patient who tested positive has recovered and will be discharged from hospital soon,” he said.
Health department has sent 30 reports for testing since January 1 and out of which three tested positive and 10 reports are still pending. In 2018, the department had sent 425 samples for testing out of which 28 tested positive and nine patients succumbed to the disease. Current weather has become favorable for H1N1 virus and the officials have started awareness campaign to control the disease. After the first casualty, the health department has raised an alarm and directed officials to get ready to handle the situation.
“Current weather conditions are conducive for H1N1 virus. People should take special care of pregnant women and children as they have low immunity,” Dr Malakar said. He said the best way to prevent the disease is to take precautions and avoid people having cough and cold. “In case of cough too, one needs to be cautious as H1N1 virus transmits through air,” he said.
Cold winds bring chill again Cold winds gripped city again on Monday as chilly winds blew from northern parts of the country. The day temperature dropped by two degrees even as weatherman said maximum temperature may go southward in next couple of days. The minimum temperature recorded at 10.1 degrees Celsius was one degree below normal. City recorded maximum temperature of 23.7 degrees Celsius, which was two degrees below normal. The department officials said city would experience severe cold in next couple of days due to chilly winds blowing from north India. The city had received similar chilly winds on January 8-9.
