Official confirmation : Man dies of swine flu

KARACHI: Another death caused by swine flu has been reported from a private hospital in the city, raising the total death toll by the flu to three so far this year. Health department officials confirmed on Wednesday that Arshad Mehmood, 50, died at a private hospital during treatment. "Yes, the patient died due to swine flu," said Dr Zafar Ejaz, the medical director of Karachi. Earlier, two deaths were reported from different areas of the city. Both deaths were also reported from private health facilities. More than 20 patients' tests for swine flu were positive, the health department's official said. Another death caused by the flu surfaced but the health department denied it was due to the H1N1 virus.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 18^th,  2016.