First swine flu death in Aurangabad division this monsoon, a 35-year-old man from Swarkheda village in Hingoli district died of swine flu at Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Nanded, on Saturday evening.
Working as an auto driver in the village, the deceased, Ashok Panditrao Pole died of H1N1 flu.The
“Initially, Pole was undergoing treatment for viral infection at a private hospital for around 10 days. But when his condition worsened, he approached the civil hospital in the village on July 23. He was admitted to GMCH on July 24 with worsening symptoms, where investigations revealed that he was infected with the H1N1 virus”
said Satish Runwal, medical officer, Hingoli taluka.
Runwal also added “Since the patient approached the government hospital late, his condition deteriorated. With his oxygen saturation lowering, he was put on ventilator. However, his condition showed no signs of improvement and he died on Saturday evening.
Pole’s cause of death has been registered as acute respiratory distress syndrome, bilateral bronchopneumonia, H1N1 infection and cardio respiratory arrest.
The relatives of the victim – Kavita (wife), Ganga Sagar (sister) and Vitthal (brother) – too complained of cough, fever and breathlessness and have been admitted to GMCH with swine flu symptoms. “Their swab samples have been sent to virology laboratory at Pune. Their condition is improving and is reported to be stable,” Runwal said.
This has spread fear of an epidemic in the village with a population of 2,000. “After the incident, the administration is geared up to take preventive measures to stop the spread of the virus. A team of doctors and paramedical staff was constituted, which conducted a survey of the village. Around 100 people, who were in contact with the victim, were screened of which 22 with mild symptoms were administered with Tamiflu tablets as a precautionary measure,” he said.
“Moreover, the team will continue its survey for 15 more days since the incubation period of H1N1 virus lasts for around 15 days,” he added further.
