PUNE: With more awareness about swine flu and availability of vaccines, Pune city has reported fewer cases of swine flu in 2019 with only 175 patients testing positive. Whereas in 2018 there were 592 cases and in 2017 there were 703 cases reported positive in municipal limits.
Speaking about the year and number of swine flu cases, Dr Ramchandra Hankare, Chief of Health Department at the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) said there are substantially less number of cases as well as less number of deaths due to swine flu. “PMC has many well-equipped hospitals so patients who are at a later stage of swine flu treatment come to the city. Hence the death toll is on the higher side in the PMC limits. But as the hospitals are equipped with better Intensive Care Unit and facilities, we see a lot of patients recover as well,” he said.
He added that due to rigorous awareness and the need for vaccination for high risk patients, this year the number of patients has dropped.
“We have undertaken awareness initiatives for high risk patients such as senior citizens, patients with other major illness, children and pregnant women. People with less immunity are more likely to get swine flu hence prevention is important in terms of getting vaccinated. We have full stock in all government and private hospitals for the same,” he said.
He added that high-risk patients should take preventive steps in winter. “As the temperature is dropping, the high-risk patients are at risk and due care should be taken to keep swine flu at bay,” said Dr Hankare.
