Swine flu: 11 more patients test positive

KARACHI: Over the last two days, 11 patients in Karachi have tested positive for Swine flu. Incharge of the Swine Flu Surveillance Cell, Dr Suresh Kumar, confirmed the report but said the 13 patients reported towards the end of last year are not counted as being in the same “season”.

“That season ended with the year and the patients for this season are just 11,” he told The Express Tribune. According to sources in the health department, 75 samples had been sent for testing on Monday, out of which 11 have tested positive so far. Kumar said that the Swine flu surveillance cell helpline (number 99215970 or main Civil Hospital Karachi lines: 99215740 Extension 6001 and 6002) is working round-the-clock.

All teaching and district hospitals have an isolated area where Swine flue patients are kept and treated so that the flu does not spread.

All districts have also appointed their own focal persons to keep track of the virus and its spread.

The flu has already claimed one life in the city so far. Iftikhar Hussain died of the Swine flu at Abbasi Shaheed Hospital on Saturday, January 1.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 6^th, 2011.