Kathmandu, January 22

Three persons have tested positivefor swine flu at Om Hospital and Research Centre while three others are suspected to have been infected with the same virus.

According to Director of Om Hospital and Research Centre Dr KP Devkota, test samples were sent to National Public Health Laboratory. “After being diagnosed with swine flu, one woman died and another was airlifted to India for treatment. Meanwhile, one man is receiving treatment at the hospital and his health condition is improving,” informed Dr Devkota.

“Epidemiology and Disease Control Division says that A (H1N1) pdm 09 virus causes seasonal flu. However, National Public Health Laboratory’s report has marked it as swine flu,”he said.

Meanwhile, Dr Bibek Kumar Lal said though A (H1N1) pdm 09 virus was called swine flu in the beginning, but World Health Organisation has termed it seasonal flu now.

“In the beginning swine flu viruses transmitted to humans from pigs, but at present they transmit from humans to humans,” he added.

“Seasonal influenza is not a new kind of disease. People need not to worry even if they are diagnosed with the influenza. It can be treated completely,” he added.

According to National Public Health Laboratory, Teku, 168 people diagnosed with seasonal influenza were recorded from November 17 to January 10. Among them, 146 were diagnosed with Influenza A (H1N1) pdm 09, nine were diagnosed with influenza A H3 and 13 people were diagnosed with Influenza B.

“The number of patients being diagnosed with seasonal influenza is increasing. We are trying to respond immediately and also providing free vaccination to the hospitals and people,” he informed.