Swine Flu affects 16 in Hyderabad

Hyderabad, June 24 (ANI): With medical authorities confirming another case of swine flu in Hyderabad, the total number of the affected people in the city turned 16 on Wednesday.

A 30-year-old woman, wife of another swine flu patient who was recently identified as the 15th person found affected by swine flu in the city, has also been found positive with swine flu here.

"We have officially reported 16th case. She is the wife of the 15th case. She is a 30-year-old woman. She has not travelled with him but she had travelled on a different date. So that is why (we are) screening that flight also, three rows in front and three rows back," said Dr. K. Subbarao of the Government General And Chest Hospital.

Out of the 16 cases, 14 have been discharged, while two are undergoing treatment.

Two suspected persons for swine flu, a 23-year-old man and a 15-year-old girl from Hong Kong, are awaiting reports. While another 45-year-old man who just travelled from Doha has also been admitted in the hospital for suspected HINI infection, after initial screening at Hyderabad airport

So far, a total of 59 people have tested positive for swine flu across India, of whom 32 patients have been treated as inpatients in isolation wards and discharged.

Out of the total 59 patients, 53 arrived from abroad while six contracted the disease in the country. A total 412 suspected cases were quarantined.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) elevated the H1N1 strain to pandemic status earlier this month.

The WHO, in an update on the spread of the new flu strain earlier on Saturday (June 20), said the number of worldwide cases had risen to 44,287, with 180 deaths.

Mexico, United States and Canada have borne the brunt of the illness while research work is still on to formulate an effective vaccine to counter the pandemic. (ANI)