Chandigarh gets five new positive cases of swine flu

CHANDIGARH - Five new positive cases of influenza A (H1N1) virus were detected in this union territory Thursday, a health official said here Friday.

Among the new patients are two sisters, their children and a teenager.

“We had collected the throat and nasal swab samples of a 19-year-old boy yesterday (Thursday) and his reports were positive. He has been admitted in an isolated ward of PGIMER (Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research) here,” nodal officer of swine flu H.C. Gera told IANS.

“Besides, three members of his family - his parents and younger brother were quarantined in their home here in Sector 22 by the health officials,” he said.

The other four cases were reported from Yamunanagar town in Haryana and from Mandi Gobindgarh town in Punjab.

Patients from Yamunanagar included a 26-year-old woman and her two-year-old daughter whereas patients from Mandi Gobindgarh included a 24-year-old woman and her nine-month-old baby.

Both the women are sisters and recently met during a marriage ceremony.

“Their reports have also come positive. We have informed the health officials of both states and patients have been quarantined at their respective places,” stated Gera.

Till now, over 325 suspected cases of swine flu were reported in Chandigarh hospitals, of which 56 tested positive. Two deaths, one each in Chandigarh and in its neighbouring town Mohali, have been reported in the region till now.