Maharashtra: Four more H3N2 deaths in state

The death toll from H3N2 rose to five on Tuesday. Till Monday, there was just one confirmed death from the disease, but on Tuesday, four more deaths were added to the report sent out by state health officials.

So far, five confirmed deaths and one suspected death has been reported from H3N2. The state has reported over 333 confirmed cases of H3N2, out of which Mumbai has reported 29 confirmed cases this year.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra has reported 439 confirmed cases of H1N1 (swine flu) out of which 27 per cent of cases are in Mumbai. The state has also reported three deaths from swine flu but none in Mumbai. Currently, 86 patients infected with influenza A have been hospitalised across the state, out of which 14 are admitted in Mumbai.

Out of these 14 patients, nine patients are of H3N2 and five patients are of H1N1. The condition of all these patients is stable. BMC Executive Health Officer Dr Mangla Gomare said, "After an increase in cases of influenza, special arrangements have been made in hospitals to deal with it. Isolation wards have been set up in Kasturba Hospital, while arrangements have been made for treatment in major medical colleges and suburban hospitals."

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Gomare added, "Along with this, the facility of influenza testing of 200 samples daily has been made available in KEM and Kasturba Hospital. Additionally, sufficient stock of oseltamivir, effective in treatment of H3N2 is also available in hospitals."

Guidelines have already been given to private practitioners regarding influenza. They have been told to start antiviral medication if a patient's fever does not subside within 24 hours. Along with this, all healthcare workers have been instructed to conduct door-to-door screening to find patients.