11 die of H1N1 in valley so far this season

Srinagar, Jan 12: With two persons infected with swine flu virus dying at SMHS hospital here, the death toll so far this season due to H1N1 has reached to 11.
There is also one patient admitted in the hospital with the H2N3 virus. Of the deaths, two occurred at SMHS while the rest took place at SK Institute of Medical Science in Soura here.
Confirming the deaths, Dr Saleem Tak, MS SMHS told news agency GNS that three patients were admitted with H1N1 infection last week and two among them died while the third was undergoing treatment.
He is stable, the medical superintendent said adding one more patient is admitted with H2N3.
Dr Farooq Jan Medical Superintendent SKIMS said that so far nine people have died due to H1N1 since September at the hospital.
“Total 50 patients were admitted and 42 were discharged and presently 8 are undergoing treatment,” he said.
An amalgam of doctors in Kashmir has already advised people to take precautions to protect themselves from the flu.
“Simple precautions would help prevent the spread of flu,” said Dr Nisar-ul-Hassan.
He said covering your mouth and nose while coughing or sneezing and washing your hands with soap and water will keep you and people around you healthy and well.
“People should avoid touching their eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands,” he added.
“If you are down with flu, stay home for at least 24 hours after you’re symptom-free (unless you need to receive care),” he said.
He said wearing a mask will prevent transmission of flu virus from infected person to others as well as protect caregiver from picking up an infection.
Dr Nisar said people should drink plenty of fluids and take adequate sleep and eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.
“Swine flu, also known as H1N1 virus is a contagious viral infection of the respiratory tract that spreads from person to person through the inhalation of respiratory droplets. Symptoms of flu include fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose and body aches,” he said.
“Elderly, children under the age of five years, pregnant women and those with underlying health conditions are prone to develop serious complications from flu,” he added.