Punjab has reported 220 confirmed H1N1 cases this year and its first suspected swine flu death of the season as infections rise and renewed calls for vigilance.
NDTV reports that an 85-year-old man from Jalandhar has died after being treated for H1N1 at the city’s Civil Hospital. The man, named as Mool Raj, was admitted with breathing problems and had a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
The case was complicated by the patient’s pre-existing severe COPD, which could have led to his death, Rajesh Garg told Hindustan Times. Authorities have not yet made a definitive diagnosis of H1N1 in the death.
Officials said a health audit will determine the cause of death.
The confirmed H1N1 caseload in the state has now reached 220 with infections rising since August, health department figures cited by NDTV showed.
Health officials are advising residents to be vigilant for flu symptoms but not to panic unnecessarily. For older people and people with underlying respiratory conditions, seasonal influenza can be more serious.
H1N1 also known as swine flu is a seasonal influenza virus that can cause respiratory complications in susceptible patients.
