Chopal deaths: It could be swine flu

Tamiflu medicine supplies for a population of nearly 300 to 500 people have been rushed to the five specifically suspected villages from where the samples tested positive. Three ambulances have also been deputed to rush patients to hospital,if required.

Four of the six patients who tested positive for swine flu are in the age group of six to 12 years. They have been put on home quarantine. Two of the children are from the family of Chet Ram of Judu Shalal village in Kupvi,which lost two minor girls last week to high fever.

A high-level review meeting was called by Health Minister Rajeev Bindal after the test reports confirmed swine flu.

Bindal directed to depute three extra teams of doctors to survey each and every household in the area and teams were sent from Solan,Shimla and Nahan,said Integrated Disease Surveillance Project head Dr Vinod Mehta.

In a statement issued later,Bindal said the blood culture report of the patients were awaited,while tests for jaundice had been found negative.

“The cases found positive were asymptomatic — no visible symptoms of swine flu — and had only mild fever in the last few days,” said Dr Mehta.