People in 30-45 age group worst affected by swine flu

New Delhi, Mar 18: People in the age group of 30-45 years have been the worst affected by swine flu with most number of deaths, 34 per cent of the toll, taking place in this age bracket.

According to the Union Health Ministry, 34 per cent of the 723 deaths that were analysed have occurred in the age group 30-45 years, followed closely by those in the 45-60 bracket (32 per cent).

The Health Ministry has conducted an age and sex wise analysis of influenza A (H1N1) deaths. It has also analysed data to find out the most prevalent weeks, deaths due to co-morbid conditions and many other such aspects.

The analysis shows 17 per cent of deaths occurred in the age group of 18-30 years while 12 per cent of deaths were in the 60 and above age category.

Four per cent deaths have occurred in the age group of 0-12 per cent while the analysis further states that one per cent death has taken place in the age group of 12-18 years.

The analysis said that among the total deaths, 50.35 per cent of them were females while 49.65 per cent were males. The Health Ministry figures shows that as on March 17, 1,809 persons have perished due to the disease while the number of affected persons across various states was 30,766.

This is the first time that the Ministry has given detailed break-up of the number. The analysis states that in Gujarat and Rajasthan, which are the most affected states, more than 50 per cent deaths have taken place to people who had co-morbid conditions while in Karnataka it was more than 72 per cent.

Co-morbidity is the presence of one or more additional diseases co-occurring with a primary disease. Such persons are immuno-compromised and consequently more vulnerable. In this category are the patients with diseases such as cancer, diabetes, tuberculosis, other respiratory diseases.

Of the total 541 deaths in Gujarat, 189 were analysed in which 98 persons had co-morbid conditions. The maximum number of patients were having lung-related diseases.

Similarly in Rajasthan, 50 deaths were analysed in which 27 persons (54 per cent) had such conditions. In Delhi, six deaths were analysed in which three persons were found to have co-morbid conditions.

While two were suffering from diabetes, one was suffering from lung disease. Delhi till date has registered 11 deaths due to swine flu.

PTI