Actor Aamir Khan and wife Kiran Rao are among the latest to be afflicted by swine flu. The couple spoke about their battle with the H1N1 virus via video conference at the Satyamev Jayate Water Cup event in Pune, which they had to skip due to ill-health.
“It is a very happy day for us, but we are upset that after putting in efforts for one year, we could not be there to celebrate the day with you. We have been detected with H1N1 virus. It is known as swine flu commonly. It spread easily and therefore we have to remain in isolation for a week,” Mr. Khan said. The Satyamev Jayate Water Cup is an inter-village competition on watershed management and water conservation, organised by Paani Foundation, an NGO run by the actor and his wife.
Till date, swine flu has infected over 3,500 people in Maharashtra and killed 366. Last month saw the biggest spurt in swine flu-related deaths in the State at 103. In Mumbai this year, 850 cases and 16 deaths have been reported so far.
Dr. Mini Khetarpal, epidemiology in-charge at the BMC, said Mr. Khan is setting an excellent example by staying at home. “Home isolation cuts the chain of transmission of viruses like H1N1. A busy person like him may go out and land up infecting many others.” She said doctors should closely monitor symptoms of those in close contact with patient, and put them on Oseltamivir. Testing and hospitalisation is not mandatory for H1N1 any more if the symptoms are not severe.
