First case of swine flu death in 2019 registered in Assam

July 8: A 75-year-old man identified as Bhagawan Prasad died last week at Narayana Superspeciality Hospital in Amingaon, Guwahati. This is the first officially recorded death due to H1N1 infection (swine flu) in 2019 in Assam.

The deceased was initially admitted in a hospital at Rangia last Tuesday after he complained of high fever. But after his condition became serious, he was admitted to Narayana Superspeciality Hospital in Amingaon where the doctors diagnosed him to have a septic shock with left ventricular failure along with high fever. He, however, developed cardiac arrest the next morning and expired.

The medical test of the deceased which was conducted in the microbiology department of Gauhati Medical College and Hospital confirmed that he was suffering from H1N1 (swine flu)infection.

Swine flu was first recognised in the 1919 pandemic and still circulates as a seasonal flu virus. Swine flu is caused by the H1N1 virus strain, which started in pigs. Symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, chills, weakness and body aches. Children, pregnant women and the elderly are at risk from severe infection.Typical  treatment includes rest, pain relievers and fluids. In some cases antiviral medication and IV fluids may be required.