In Gujarat nearly 100 Swine Flu deaths this year 341626

With almost a 100 deaths, Gujarat seems to be caught up in the wave of Swine flu cases. With the numbers swelling, the state health machinery has gone in an overdrive to counter the deadly virus which has reared its head in the state almost after two years. Since January, Gujarat hospitals have reported over 500 confirmed cases of Swine flu. Already almost a 100 people have succumbed to the deadly virus. Health officials said that the worst affected areas have been North Gujarat and Saurashtra region. In Ahmedabad alone, 58 cases have been reported, out of which about a dozen are still in the isolation ward of the civil hospital. The health ministry says all efforts are being made to provide medical help to the patients. "What has increased the toll is that some patients have other ailments as well, so that has worsened their condition... particularly the expecting mothers who have been adversely impacted," said State health minister, Nitin Patel. The health authorities have created special isolation wards in several government hospitals in the state. More beds are being set up in those hospitals to cater to patient inflow. "Special teams have been formed and we are constantly monitoring the situations," said Ahmedabad civil hospital Superintendent, Dr MM Prabhakar. But Gujarat is not the only state battling the deadly flu. According to Union health ministry, Rajasthan has reported 124 deaths this year while over 1200 cases have been reported from Delhi killing 16 people. Haryana and Punjab have reported 29 and 34 deaths respectively. But there is a silver lining. With the onset of summer, the mutation of the virus is on the downswing. "This year with the onset of winter, January and February months have seen maximum number of cases. With March on, the temperature is going up and we are predicting that the numbers would go down drastically," said Dr Prabhakar. But with no long term remedy in sight, this respite is only likely to last a few months.