This year’s first victim of swine flu in Rawalpindi breathed his last at the Holy Family Hospital (HFH) on Friday.
He had been brought to HFH two days ago, but the garrison city’s allied hospitals did not have the temiflu drug, vital for treating the disease, in stock.
According to hospital sources, 21-year-old Shahbaz Mohammad was brought to HFH’s emergency ward on the night of October 31 in critical condition. He was breathless, suffering from high fever and a headache. He was put on a ventilator in isolation in the intensive care unit. According to preliminary reports, he had tested positive for swine flu type H1.
Shahbaz’ father Mir Mohammad said his son caught flu five days ago and was unable to recover despite treatment from a private clinic. He was brought to HFH when he fell unconscious and his condition started to worsen.
Talking to The Express Tribune, a doctor who cares for swine flu patients while requesting anonymity said the availability of the temiflu drug in hospitals is vital for treatment. Despite several requests to the Punjab government, the drug has not been supplied.
He said this is the first suspected case of swine flu in Rawalpindi this year compared to 280 positive cases reported by allied hospitals last year. In 2010, there was an outbreak of swine flu with 460 positive cases.
Like seasonal flu, swine flu virus is transmitted through an infected person’s cough or sneeze. In the beginning, the patient has flu-like symptoms and on the third day he suffers with high-grade fever and sometimes with muscular rash, said the doctor.
When contacted, Rawalpindi Medical College Chief Executive Prof Dr Musadaq Khan said, “Currently the non-availability of temiflu drug is not in my knowledge. I will be able to comment only after I’ve looked in to the matter.”
Published in The Express Tribune, November 3rd, 2012.
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