High alert: Four more diagnosed with swine flu

Patients diagnosed include nurse and two siblings of Humaira, who passed away from the disease on Friday.

MULTAN:

Four more patients have been diagnosed with swine flu. Their blood samples, sent to the National Institute of Health, Islamabad, tested positive for the disease.

The patients diagnosed include a nurse and two siblings of Humaira (who passed away from the disease on Friday). Doctors at Nishtar Hospital told The Express Tribune that almost 10 relatives, servants and neighbours of swine flu patients admitted in the hospital have reported similar symptoms. Their blood samples have been sent to the National Institute of Health. Health EDO Iftikhar Hussain has told Nishtar Medical Superintendent Ashiq Malik to ensure the ward containing swine flu patients was quarantined. Dr Ahmed of Nishtar Hospital told The Express Tribune that Farah, a resident of Taunsa, DG Khan, and the first patient to be diagnosed with swine flu, was in critical condition and had been put on a ventilator. District administration and health officials have been put on high alert on special instructions from the chief minister. Health officials have launched awareness campaigns in Multan and Dera Ghazi Khan.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 4^th, 2014.