Virar woman third H1N1 casualty this year, 40 positive cases in February

MUMBAI: A 46-year-old Virar resident died of influenza H1N1 at Kasturba Hospital in Chinchpokli this week, making her the year’s third casualty of the viral disease from Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). In a clear sign that the respiratory virus is back this year, BMC confirmed it had recorded 40 cases in February from the city.

The positive cases detected in 28 days of the last month was nearly double that of all cases in 2018 (25). TOI has learnt that at least six patients have died of H1N1, initially called swine flu, in city hospitals. But, barring one, most were out of Mumbai cases, referred only for medical treatment. The previous two cases were in Palghar and Thane.

A BMC official said the suspected H1N1 casualties will be reviewed by the death committee on March 5.
Across the state, nearly 30 have died so far. The respiratory infection that starts with cold, cough and fever can progress into a serious life-threatening lung condition if not treated on time. At least 15 states are reeling under the virus’ onslaught, with Rajasthan and Gujarat recording the most deaths. Dr Sujeet Singh, who heads National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), New Delhi, said cases were coming from all over the country and an extended winter probably had a role.

Priyanka Konapalkar (46) succumbed on February 24 at Kasturba Hospital in less than 24 hours of hospitalisation. A relative said she came down with classic flu symptoms about a week before her death. She sought treatment at a local hospital before getting admitted to Virar’s Sanjivani Hospital in a breathless condition. She was put on ventilator support there. “Her condition kept deteriorating. Doctors told us she needed care in a higher centre, so we took her to Kasturba,” said Mayur Merai, a family friend. He added that Konapalkar’s family was given preventive treatment by Vasai Virar Municipal Corporation.

Infectious disease consultant Dr Om Srivastava said the virus was very much in the area. “The volume of H1N1 patients doctors are treating has climbed. It is significantly higher than last year. Timely treatment is the key as not everybody requires hospitalisation or ICU,” he said. “Quite a few who got the infection this year had taken the vaccine. A variant of H1N1 is probably circulating. But that number is minuscule, and vaccination is recommended,” he said.

A BMC official said civic hospitals have sto cks of oseltamivir. “We last had a spurt in February 2015. We hope with rising temperature cases will go down,” the official said.