The deadly H1N1 virus is spreading its tentacles in Gujarat with 87 fresh cases being reported on Monday. More people succumbed to the epidemic on Monday taking the death toll to 88 since January this year. Confirming the seriousness of the swine flu scare, State Health Commissioner JP Gupta said that the H1N1 cases are likely to increase in the coming days. Gujarat Government has already started aggressive campaign to create awareness among people about the swine flu.
The sudden surge in the number of swine flu cases across Gujarat seems to be posing a serious challenge to health authorities. Already 831 cases of swine flu were reported in Gujarat. According to the State Health Department officials, spread of the virus could not be checked as it is air-borne and precaution is the only way to handle it. Kutch has been the worst-affected district in the State. Nearly 220 positive cases and more than 25 deaths are reported due to the H1N1 in Kutch. The State Government has initiated door-to-door awareness campaign in the district.
As per the State Government data, 87 new cases of swine flu have been reported and seven more people succumbed to swine flu in the State on Monday. Maximum number of new cases (21) reported in Ahmedabad district followed by Kutch 20, Vadodara 10, Surat 9, Gandhingar 6, Anand, Mahesana, Bhavnagar, Surendranagar 3 each, Bharuch 2 and one each in Jamnagar, Rajkot, Banaskantha, Dahod, Patan, Arvalli and Morbi. Meanwhile, Gujarat Congress leaders including President Arjun Modhvadia, leader of Opposition in Assembly Shankersinh Vaghela and Congress National spokesman Shaktisinh Gohil on Monday met the Gujarat Governor OP Kohli and submitted memorandum showing concern over the rapid spread of Swine flu in the State.
According to the memorandum, the State Government doesn’t have adequate preventive vaccine for the disease and there is a shortage of doctors and other medical staff in the State. “Some doctors are also infected with swine flu,” said the Congress leaders. He criticised the State Government for remaining busy in the events like Vibrant Gujarat and Plastindia to attract international crowd and ignoring people of Gujarat.