The swine flu counter at SMS Hospital in the city

JAIPUR: After a quiet Wednesday, three more deaths were reported due to swin flu in the state. With these cases, the total number of number deaths due to the dreaded disease mounted to 79.

Meanwhile, 78 fresh cases of swine flu were detected. Health officials said that they were taking measures for early detection of swine flu patients to prevent mortalities in the state.

According to the officials, one death each was reported from Jodhpur, Barmer and Sriganganagar. The number of positive cases are from Jaipur (25), Bikaner and Sriganganagar nine each, Jodhpur and Udaipur six each, Kota five, Barmer and Sawai Madhopur three each, Ajmer, Hanumangarh , Sikar and Jhunjhunu two each each and one case each was reported from Tonk, Alwar, Jaisalmer and Chittorgarh.

Health minister Raghu Sharma on Wednesday held a meeting in Jodhpur with health department officials and hospitals attached to government-run medical college in Jodhpur and specifically asked them to intensify efforts for containing spread of swine flu.

Special secretary (health) Dr Samit Sharma too had said that the state government was taking measures for early detection of swine flu patients to prevent mortalities in the state as early detection helps in timely treatment of the patient. On Wednesday, no person died of swine flu, but 79 deaths so far in January, has put health authorities on their toes.

Amid scare of swine flu, health minister along with higher health department authorities are inspecting health centres across the state for ensuring doctors are coming on duty on time to ensure that patients are getting treatment facilities properly. On the other hand, two epidemiologists from the Centre were in Jodhpur where 24 persons have died of swine flu in 31 days to ascertain the reason for outbreak of swine flu which has made Rajasthan so vulnerable to the disease.

Doctors and para medical staff at the government hospitals are already on their toes due to the swine flu outbreak in the state. The state government so far extended the testing facilities to 50 labs in the state.

Two epidemiologists from the Centre have rushed to Jodhpur where 23 persons have died of swine flu in 29 days to ascertain the reason for outbreak of swine flu which has made Rajasthan so vulnerable to the disease.

Rajasthan has reported highest number of deaths due to swine flu in the country in January so far. In Rajasthan, Jodhpur is at the top of the list of districts reported highest number of deaths in the state.

Epidemiologists from the Centre will analyse what causes swine flu outbreak to prevent future outbreaks. They will study scientifically the cases of swine flu to investigate patterns and causes of the disease.

“The causes of swine flu outbreak in Jodhpur is yet to be ascertained,” said Dr SK Bist, chief medical health officer (CMHO), Jodhpur.

However, he said that now situation is under control and the cases reporting every day of swine flu has come down to less than 10.

CMHO, Jaipur Dr Narrottam Sharma said, “From the past trends of swine flu outbreaks, it can be concluded that swine flu has some connection with the temperature. Just like common cold and influenza are quite common during winters, swine flu cases also increase in numbers during winters.”

Despite reporting 782 cases in January, only four persons have died in Jaipur. The mortality rate due to swine flu in Jaipur is even below 1%. “We are conducting screening for swine flu in temples of the city including Khole Ke Hamumanji, Moti Doongri temple along with other crowded places including malls and shopping centres. In Jaipur only, more than 6,000 suspected swine flu patients have undergone H1N1 test done in January,” said Dr Sharma.

