Lucknow:
Uttar Pradesh has seen a sudden spurt in the number of swine flu cases after 66 people were confirmed positive in Lucknow alone in less than a month.
The PGI hospital in Lucknow - the nodal testing centre for swine flu cases - has been identified as one of the epicentres of the spread of the virus in the city. According to reports, around 50 people among those detected with the virus are doctors and staff at the hospital.
The Chief Medical Officer of Lucknow, Dr SNS Yadav, said, "We are trying to find out why this is happening at the PGI hospital. We are trying to get it investigated by the head of the department of Social and Preventive medicine and the Dean of the Medical College."
The first swine flu case in the city was reported August 22 when a retired doctor fell prey to the H1N1 virus and died later. Hospital authorities suspect that the virus could have travelled with a patient from Mumbai who was recently admitted to the hospital.
The rising numbers of swine flu case has sent alarm bells ringing in the state health department. However, the government has not pressed the panic button yet. The state administration has stepped up efforts to check its further spread. Special wards have been set up in government hospitals and Tamiflu supplies have been increased to tackle the crisis.
"The medicines also help in preventing the spread. Doses can also be administered to those who have been in close contact with a patient who face the risk of contracting swine flu," said Kausar Usman, Assistant Professor of the Medical College.
(With inputs from IANS)