Nagpur: The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has confirmed one death due to Influenza A (H1N1) this year after its H1N1 Death Audit Committee reviewed two recent fatalities, even as the city has recorded a sharp rise in swine flu cases this month.As per the civic body’s health department, 15 laboratory-confirmed H1N1 cases have been detected in July so far, including 13 from the NMC limits. Since January, the city has reported 25 confirmed H1N1 infections, indicating that over 60% of this year’s cases have emerged this month.At a meeting chaired by NMC medical health officer Dr Deepak Selokar, the H1N1 Death Audit Committee examined the medical records, laboratory findings, treatment protocols, hospital management and underlying illnesses of two deceased patients.The panel concluded that one death in July was directly attributable to H1N1 infection, while ruling that the second patient, who had multiple comorbidities, did not die due to H1N1 based on available medical evidence.With seasonal influenza activity increasing, NMC has asked all districts in the Nagpur division to intensify surveillance of Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) cases, ensure timely testing of suspected patients and strengthen public awareness on preventive measures.Health officials said H1N1 is a viral respiratory illness that is generally treatable if diagnosed early. They advised senior citizens, pregnant women, children below five years and people suffering from diabetes, hypertension, heart, kidney or lung diseases, or weakened immunity, to seek medical attention immediately if they develop fever, cough, sore throat, cold or breathing difficulty.The civic body said it is maintaining daily monitoring of H1N1 cases, ensuring availability of medicines and treatment facilities, and conducting a medical audit of every H1N1-related death to improve clinical management.
