Hirra Azmat
Srinagar, Feb 11: Eleven patients have been admitted to Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) after they tested positive for H1N1inflenza (swine flu).
Fourteen patients were tested positive, of who three have been discharged after treatment. Eleven patients including five males and a child have been admitted to the hospital.
More than 750 people have been tested for H1N1 influenza at SKIMS since September 2019. Except 14, all have been tested negative for H1N1 strain.
“The tests have confirmed that 14 patients are infected. They had perhaps acquired the flu in the valley. Condition of one patient is critical. He has been put on the ventilator,” an official of the SKIMS said.
Medical superintendent, SKIMS, Dr Farooq Jan said due to a drop in temperature, there are chances of increase in the number of infected patients.
Dr Jan however hastened to add that the situation is under control and the institute is ready to tackle any exigency.
“We have adequate number of vaccines, medicines, isolation kits, and personal protection gear available to deal with H1NI virus at SKIMS,” he said.
Dr Jan noted that SKIMS employees have been administrated vaccines beforehand as a precautionary measure.
H1N1 (Swine flu) manifests similarly to those of seasonal influenza (flu). The transmission is by droplet infection and fomites (non-living objects). The symptoms may appear between one and seven days after contracting H1N1 infection.
Dr Khawar Khan Achakzai, registrar at SMHS said patients susceptible to infection include children, elderly people and expecting mothers.
“A person contracts infection when infected person coughs or sneezes and emits droplets which mixes with air,” Dr Khawar said.
