Swine flu claims life in Amritsar

An alert has been sounded at the health centre of Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) where Malti Devi,a resident of Chheherta locality,worked as a Class IV employee. Some of her colleagues at the Centre and family members have been kept under medical observation.

Nodal officer of swine flu in Amritsar,H S Ghai,said Devi had taken ill a fortnight ago and had undergone treatment initially at the health centre and then at a private hospital at Chheherta. “When the matter was brought to us,her condition had worsened. Her blood samples and throat swabs were sent to PGI,Chandigarh,which confirmed she had H1N1.”

Ghai said over 30 people who had come into contact with the deceased,including her family members,doctors,paramedical staff and her colleagues,had been given H1N1 vaccine. “These people are under observation,but there is no need to panic,” he said.

Civil Surgeon Chandanjit Kundal said that there were no more suspected cases of H1N1 in the city but they were on alert. “After this death,we have put medical staff on alert,” he said,adding that last year there were 17 cases of swine flu reported in the city. Of them,seven had died.

Meanwhile,two more persons died of diarrhoea and cholera on Monday.

Highlighting the filthy conditions in the Sultanwind Road area,Congress councilor Navdeep Singh Goldy today blocked the traffic and held a major protest against the medial authorities,blaming them for the deaths.

“People are dying due to the dirty water being supplied in the area and the filth. There is no one to take care of the people here,” said Goldy.