Nagpur | Swine flu claims over 400 lives in last 7 years: RTI

Swine flu, the human respiratory infection caused by an influenza strain has claimed over 400 lives in the last seven years in Nagpur, as per the reports, provided by the deputy director of health office, Sanjay Jaiswal.

While around 569 people have tested positive this year, 108 have succumbed to the deadly disease.

The informations were provided following an RTI query filed by activist Abhay Kolarkar.

Kolarkar also tried to investigate regarding deaths due to waterborne diseases in some parts of Nagpur, Bhandara, Gondia, Chandrapur, Gadchiroli, and Wardha in the division.

There are also reports that, H1N1 influenza has been most active since March with 229 cases and 34 deaths recorded in September and several festivals and lack of precautions are also some of those significant reasons behind the sudden jump in the death toll. In 2016, only two people had lost their life due to the same.

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"September recorded the highest number of swine flu deaths this year. There were several festivals and people failed to take necessary precautions," Deputy Director (Health) Sanjay Jaiswal was quoted while talking about the same.

"We have been asking citizens to immediately take precautionary steps in case of cold and cough. Since very few swine flu cases were reported in 2016, people may have ignored these warnings," Jaiswal added.

Since new virus keeps developing deadlier strains, it is imperative that everyone takes hygiene seriously, he warned further.

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Moreover, diseases like gastro and hepatitis claimed three lives in the last three years while more than 1000 cases have been reported during the period.