Girl, 14, is third swine flu victim in Chandigarh

CHANDIGARH - A 14-year-old girl died from Influenza A (H1N1) virus Saturday, becoming the third swine flu casualty here, a health official said.

The victim was a native of Karnal town in Haryana, around 130 km from here. She was a student of Class 7 and was staying in the hostel of Sant Nikka Singh Model School in Karnal.

“Shrishti was brought to Chandigarh Friday and was admitted here at PGIMER (Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research) in a very serious condition. We immediately sent her nasal and throat swab samples for tests and her report came positive,” said H.C. Gera, nodal officer for swine flu.

“She died today and we got her test reports after her death. We have informed the health officials in Karnal about her death and told them to immediately quarantine those people who were in direct contact with the girl.”

Health officials here have quarantined the family members and some relatives of Shrishti, at their relative’s house in Sector 23, immediately after the cremation.

“We are keeping a close tab on the condition of deceased’s family members and relatives,” stated Gera.

Earlier a 12-year-old girl, a native of Uttar Pradesh, died from swine flu in a Chandigarh hospital.

The second victim was 48-year-old Vinu Gupta, who died in a private hospital in neighbouring town Mohali. So far, over 400 suspected cases have come to Chandigarh hospitals out of which 56 tested positive.