Doctor contracts swine flu in Chandigarh

CHANDIGARH - A doctor working in a leading hospital here tested positive for influenza A (H1N1) virus, health department officials said Monday.

According to health officials, a junior resident doctor working at Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) and a 14-year-old student tested positive for swine flu in Chandigarh Monday.

“Both the patients were suffering from fever, sneezing and sore throat. We had sent their nasal and throat swab samples for tests and got their positive reports this (Monday) evening,” H.C. Gera, nodal officer of swine flu in Chandigarh, told IANS.

“Besides, we have also received five new suspected cases today (Monday). We will get their test reports by tomorrow (Tuesday),” he added.

So far, 475 suspected cases have come to Chandigarh hospitals, of whom over 120 tested positive. Positive cases included over 50 students and around 25 doctors.

Four casualties due to swine flu have been reported in this region.