: Swine Flu claimed the life of a 56-year-old woman in Bhubaneswar taking the death toll to five in Odisha.
Although the swine flu mortality in Odisha is fewer than that of States like Gujarat, Rajasthan or neighbouring West Bengal, health administrators are worried.
As of now five out of 14 persons who have tested positive have succumbed to Swine Flu bringing the mortality rate to as high as 35 per cent.
The woman identified as Niharika Agarwal from Aska Road in Berhampur had been admitted to a private hospital here since February 25, but she died late on Monday.
As per Directorate of Public Health, the woman had visited several places in north as well as western India last month.
The directorate sources said 95 samples were sent for test. Of these, 14 tested positive.
High mortality rate
Apart from the high mortality rate, prevalence of Influenza A H1N1in non-winter months also made the matter worse for the health department.
Usually low temperature is conducive for spread of Swine Flu. However, the flu continues to spread even though the temperature has gone up during the past couple of weeks. Public Health directorate urged people to be cautious at public places.
