Swine flu-like symptoms, hospitals await results

Two children were admitted to hospitals with swine flu-like symptoms. The samples, which were taken from the ailing children, were sent for necessary tests. However, the state Health department has not yet confirmed the incident.

But the unconfirmed source indicated that around 10 persons including two children and a woman were admitted to different private hospitals with similar symptoms.

Director of Health Services Biswa Ranjan Satpathi could not be reached. But, according to a Health department source, many such cases were reported where people were admitted with swine flu-like symptoms in private hospitals. Samples were taken from the hospitals for tests.

However, it is important to mention that swine flu, caused by the H1N1 virus, was not largely seen in Bengal for the last two-three years. It is a human respiratory infection caused by an influenza strain that started in pigs.

One of the ailing boys came from Howrah's Bally and was admitted at the Institute of Child Health (ICH) at Park Circus.

Meanwhile, the 10-year-old body was admitted on April 15 with swine flu-like symptoms, especially high fever and respiratory problems, to the Intensive Care Unit of a private hospital.

Several other suspected cases were detected in three private hospitals off Eastern Metropolitan Bypass.

"There is no such reason to panic. Sporadic incidents often happen," said an official.