Swine Flu hits the city again

After 2015, the Swine Flu scare is back in town. Swine influenza, also called pig influenza, swine flu, hog flu and pig flu, is an infection caused by any one of several types of swine influenza viruses. Swine influenza virus (SIV) or swine-origin influenza virus (S-OIV) is any strain of the influenza family of viruses that is endemic in pigs. As of 2009, the known SIV strains include influenza C and the subtypes of influenza A  known as H1N1.

A case was recently diagnosed in the city and unfortunately, the woman succumbed to the flu. In a preventive measure, the district administration has now set up eleven screening centres for the virus in collaboration with the Government Hospital for Chest and Communicable Diseases. Awareness is the key to fighting this virus as it can very easily be mistaken for a common cold. The readers are advised not ignore symptoms like shortness of breath, severe vomiting, pain in your belly or sides, dizziness, or confusion. Take adequate precautions and call your doctor right away!