With 12 deaths (six from Ahmedabad) and 212 new cases (including 91 from Ahmedabad, 31 from Vadodara, and 15 from Surat) reported on Wednesday, H1N1, commonly known as swine flu, has become an epidemic in Gujarat.
As per the State’s health department figures, 2,095 cases were reported this year, with 220 deaths; 746 have been cured and 1129 are under treatment.
Increasing mortality and spread of the H1N1 virus has forced the authorities to launch emergency measures including setting up a dedicated helpline and a statewide awareness campaign.
Meanwhile, the Gujarat High Court on Wednesday slammed the authorities for “failing to contain the spread” of the virus.
After a review meeting, Shanker Chaudhary, Health Minister, said, “More than 15,000 staff members of the health department and civic bodies are working round the clock not only to ensure treatment to patients but also contain the spread of viral flu.”
Jayanti Ravi, Health Commissioner, advised anyone with symptoms like cold, sore throat, fever and body ache to immediately go to private or government-run medical centre; all government hospitals are equipped to tackle the illness, she said. The High Court, slammed the authorities, reacting to a Public Interest Litigation petition, which asked for a court-appointed committee to inspect and report on “the sorry state of affairs and callous and negligent attitude on the part of the respondent authorities which has given rise to outbreak of vector and mosquito borne diseases.”
Appearing for the petitioner, lawyer K.R. Koshti sought the court’s direction to provide compensation to the victims of swine flu, malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases in the State.
