Swine flu returns in Gujarat,Anand villager tests positive

The victim has been identified as Ghanshyam Rathod,a resident of Rampur village,10 km from Anand town in Bakrol taluka.

He was admitted to a private hospital in Anand last Wednesday after complaining of cold,cough and fever. Samples of his saliva and blood were sent to BJ Medical College in Ahmedabad the following day.

“We received the results of the tests late on Sunday. The samples have tested positive for swine flu,” said Dr S B Shah,Anand’s Chief District Health Officer (CDHO).

“Since the time he was admitted to the hospital,he has been in a critical condition and on ventilator support. His situation is still critical but it is improving,” said Dr Samir Patel,the doctor who is treating Rathod.

Rathod is a student but also helps his father in plumbing work,health officials said. He had gotten married on March 12.

He has been kept in isolation at the private hospital and Dr Patel is treating him in consultation with doctors of BJ Medical College.

However,Rathod’s mother,father,brother,wife,uncle and aunt (who all live with him) have not showed any signs of the infection.

“Nobody else in his family have developed any symptoms of the H1N1. However,as per norms,they are under preventive treatment,” Dr Shah said.

This is the first case of swine flu to be confirmed in the state since mid-June in 2010. According to the state’s Health and Family Welfare Department,492 patiets had died of H1N1 between July 2009 and June 2010,with 6,793 confirmed cases. Recently,cases of the disease have been reported in neighbouring Maharashtra and Rajasthan.

Vyas said the health department had last month convened a preparatory meeting of senior district,regional and state health officers,and a review of the availability of drugs,personal protective equipment and masks was conducted.

“Nature is also on our side and rise of temperature in last few days will additionally help in preventing transmission of infection due to this virus,which is common during winters,” the minister said.

Meanwhile,district health officials in Anand have set up an OPD at the village and also a special ward at the government hospital in Petlad.

“We have set up a spot OPD in Rampur. It will function from 12 pm to 1 pm every day. We have also taken up cleanliness drive and awareness campaign in the village,” Dr Shah said.

“Since the village,with 80-odd houses,is small,the situation is very much under control,” Dr Shah said.

On the possible source of the virus,Dr Shah said,“His marriage took place at a village in Savli taluka of Vadodara on March 12,on the National Highway. Swine flu case has been reported in neighbouring Maharashtra and Rajasthan. It is possible the virus might have been carried by some trucker or relative present at the marriage ceremony,” the CDHO said.