Three die of suspected H1N1 influenza in Palpa

Kathmandu, August 5

Three people in Palpa are suspected to have died of pandemic influenza A (H1N1)pdm09. The patients died on August 2, 3 and 4 in course of treatment at Lumbini Medical College, Palpa.

Two other patients were airlifted to Kathmandu on August 2, as per Dr Bal Krishna Kalakhati, academic co-ordinator at the medical college. To confirm the cause of death, a team deployed from Epidemiology and Disease Control Division, Teku, reached the medical college today.

Meanwhile, of the two suspected patients from Jhapa, one patient was reported to have died of influenza A (H1N1)pdm09, said Dr Guna Nidhi Sharma, section chief for epidemiology at EDCD.

Of the 20 samples collected from Waling, Syangja, five cases have been confirmed positive for pandemic influenza A (H1N1)pdm09. One of the samples has tested positive for type B virus.

As the death toll from pandemic influenza is rising in the country, EDCD has sought immediate submission of reports of influenza patients from hospitals in the capital.

“We have also asked the hospitals to submit reports on all kind of communicable diseases. From among the reports submitted till August 4, there are four to five suspected cases of the pandemic influenza A (H1N1)pdm09,” informed Sharma.

The influenza virus transmits from one person to another through respiratory droplets, from sharing personal belongings such as handkerchief and clothes. People suffering from the infection will show signs and symptoms such as high fever, sore throat, stuffy or runny nose, nausea, vomiting, headaches and body aches.

As the cases of influenza are rising sharply, Dr Sharma advised people to wash hands with soap and water, drink plenty of fluids, avoid handshakes, and maintain a distance while talking with people and sit in a well-ventilated room to stay safe from infection.