There has been an increase in swine flu cases in Punjab, leading to the first suspected death from this disease being recorded in Jalandhar this season. However, the health department clarified that the exact cause of death for the 85-year-old patient has not yet been determined, and final conclusions will be made after an official health audit.
Currently, 220 cases of swine flu have been confirmed in the state. The highest number of infections has been identified in Ludhiana and SAS Nagar (Mohali). Since August, there has been an acceleration in the rise of cases, after which the health department intensified monitoring and equipped hospitals with special flu zones and isolation wards.
Mul Raj (85 years old) from Tajpur, a resident of Jamsher Has in Jalandhar, was hospitalized in the civil hospital of Jalandhar due to breathing problems. He had previously been diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). According to the health department, Mul Raj's H1N1 test was positive at GMC Amritsar on September 2. Later, during treatment, he passed away at the civil hospital in Jalandhar on Friday. Nevertheless, medical workers note that the patient suffered from COPD and other diseases, as well as having a weakened immune system, so it is inappropriate at this stage to consider that the infectious agent H1N1 was the sole cause of death.
Health officials emphasized that the patient was in a state of immunodeficiency and had several co-morbidities. Consequently, determining whether his condition was caused by H1N1 or pre-existing health problems will only be done after conducting a formal health audit. Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh also stated on Friday that the H1N1 situation is under constant observation. He added that the strain identified this year is not new or mutated. In the minister's opinion, the probability that the death of the 85-year-old patient in Jalandhar was caused specifically by swine flu is low.
According to the health department's statistics, 1513 suspected patients for swine flu have been tested from January to date, of which 220 tested positive. Only on Friday were 14 new cases confirmed.
By district:
- Ludhiana — 72 cases
- SAS Nagar (Mohali) — 36 cases
- Patiala — 16 cases
- Moga — 11 cases
- Jalandhar — 10 cases
- Ropar — 9 cases
- Fazilka — 1 case
In other districts, the number of infected people ranges from 2 to 8.
The health department reports that the recent surge in swine flu cases in Punjab began in August. In light of the increase in morbidity, the health department has strengthened monitoring and testing systems in hospitals. Flu corners and isolation units have been established in various parts of the state to ensure timely detection, testing, and provision of necessary care to suspected patients.
Statistically, Ludhiana and SAS Nagar are the most affected districts in the state, followed by Patiala, Moga, and Jalandhar. Meanwhile, in several other districts of the state, cases of infection remain isolated. The health department continues to closely monitor the H1N1 situation and urges the public to seek medical attention promptly if symptoms appear. The Health Minister noted that the H1N1 strain identified this year shows no signs of novelty or mutation. The death in Jalandhar was registered as a 'suspected death from swine flu'. Thus, despite the growing number of patients in the state, the increased control by the health department and the readiness of hospitals are crucial, but drawing a direct conclusion about the link between the death and swine flu based on available data is premature.