Swine Flu cases surge to 205 in Chhattisgarh, Raipur worst hit

Raipur | Correspondent: Chhattisgarh is witnessing a sharp surge in Swine Flu (H1N1) cases. On September 4, 26 new cases of H1N1 infection were recorded in the state, bringing the total number of patients to 205.

Currently, the number of active cases in the state has risen to 57, with 44 patients admitted to various hospitals. Given the high number of hospital admissions, the Health Department has issued directives to step up surveillance across all districts.

Raipur remains the epicenter of this new Swine Flu outbreak, reporting 12 new cases in a single day. Meanwhile, four new cases have been confirmed in Durg district over the past two days.

Of the 26 new cases, 16 patients were reported from Raipur and Durg districts alone.

According to State Health Department data, out of the 57 active cases, 13 patients are undergoing treatment in home isolation, while more than three-quarters-44 patients-have required hospitalization.

In terms of total cases, Raipur leads the state with 89 cases, followed by Durg and Bilaspur, which have recorded 26 cases each. These three districts account for more than half of the state's total cases.

The infection has also spread to other districts: 11 cases in Korba, 10 in Raigarh, and nine in Dhamtari. Swine Flu patients have also been detected in districts such as Bastar, Bemetara, Kanker, Surguja, Surajpur, Jashpur, Dantewada, Gariaband, and Kondagaon.

The Health Department has placed Raipur and Durg under special surveillance and is monitoring the situation regarding new cases and hospital admissions across the state. In view of the escalating threat, the Health Department has issued an advisory for the general public. The department has advised that if symptoms such as fever, persistent cough, sore throat, or difficulty breathing are experienced, one should not dismiss them as a common seasonal illness but instead seek immediate medical advice at the nearest health center.

It is worth noting that this flu (H1N1) is a contagious respiratory disease. It typically spreads rapidly during seasonal transitions.

Swine flu: Origin and Spread

According to medical officials, swine flu, or H1N1 influenza, is also a common influenza, i.e., cold and cold-like symptoms. The difference is that the common cold gets better in a maximum of three days. But swine flu lasts for several days. This causes damage to the respiratory system. This flu can be fatal for young children, the elderly, pregnant women, and patients suffering from diseases of the heart, kidneys, lungs, blood pressure, cancer, etc.

Doctors have advised that if one experiences a fever of more than 101 degrees for more than three days, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose or blocked nose, or tiredness should immediately consult a doctor and get treatment.

Mentioning the symptoms, he said it is an airborne respiratory disease that can spread through cough, cold, sneezing, sore throat, body aches, headaches, fatigue, watery eyes, Diarrhoea, Nausea, and Vomiting. Influenza might cause mild to severe illness.