Pune panics after first swine flu death

India witnessed the first swine flu death in Pune's Jehangir Hospital, where 14-year-old Riya Sheikh succumbed to the H1N1 virus yesterday.

Pune panics after first swine flu death

India witnessed the first swine flu death in Pune's Jehangir Hospital, where 14-year-old Riya Sheikh succumbed to the H1N1 virus yesterday.

Families of other patients admitted to the same hospital fear the infection may have spread.

"My brother Dhanraj, who suffered a heart attack on Monday, has been admitted to the same ICU ward where the flu patient succumbed," said Suresh Waghmare.

Shoba Thokare, whose daughter delivered a baby at the hospital, voiced a similar fear. "I hope other patients do not contract the flu."

"The patient was isolated and we'll ensure the safety of patients, relatives and our staff," he said. So far, Pune has witnessed 100 cases of swine flu.

Negligence?

Sajid, Riya's father, blamed the hospital for his daughter's death. "They treated her for pneumonia and we have lost her due to the hospital's negligence.
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They demanded Rs 49,000 and sent us to a private hospital, and I have spent nearly 1.25 lakh," he said.

Riya's mother claimed the hospital wanted to shift Riya to another hospital and protect themselves from infection, but hospital authorities denied all allegations.

The hospital may face consequences, as the patient was not sent to a government hospital. Pune Municipal Corporation Commissioner Mahesh Zagade said, "We were not informed about the case."

The hospital spokesperson, however, claimed that the state and central government had been well informed.
So far, 72 school students from 10 schools have tested positive in Pune.

The case

On July 21, Riya Sheikh (14) showed symptoms of sore throat, running nose and headache and consulted her doctor. On July 25, she got fever and on July 27, she was hospitalised.

On July 29, she was shifted to the ICU and tested positive for swine flu the next day. She was administered Oseltamivir an anti-swine flu drug but succumbed to a multi-organ failure.

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