Fast facts

• Symptoms: Cough, fever, sore throat, runny nose, body ache, headache and fatigue
• How it spreads: When infected persons sneeze or cough
• Who are at risk: Children below five years of age, senior citizens, pregnant women, anyone below 18 years of age undergoing long-term aspirin therapy, those suffering from lung, heart, liver, blood, nervous system-related ailments and HIV-positive people.

Kathmandu, September 20

As many three persons have tested positive for H1N1 virus, commonly known as swine flu, in Kathmandu, according to officials.

Dr Sher Bahadur Pun at Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital, Teku, told The Himalayan Times that three persons, including two women aged 20 and 58 years, were tested positive for H1N1 over the past one week.

“The National Public Health Laboratory, which examined the samples collected from suspected patients,confirmed the cases,” he informed. He also said that these swine flu cases have been reported after a gap of four months.

“Nepal is a tropical country and thus influenza cases can be detected round the year, especially during the post-monsoon period,” Dr Pun said. He informed that the swine flu patients are recovering after necessary treatment.

“We gave them antibiotics and they are doing well. Also, we did not prescribe Tamiflu to patients in the outpatient department of the hospital. People with low immunity, especially the elderly, are more vulnerable to H1N1 virus,” he said.

On an average, five patients with flu-like symptoms have been visiting the STIDH every day. But cases of swine flu have been rare. He advised that a person suffering from swine flu should not get too close to others, should wear a mask, maintain proper hygiene and rest as much as possible for speedy recovery.

More than 42 samples were tested positive for H1N1 virus with four deaths last year. Patients who died of swine flu were found to be suffering from various other diseases.