Hyderabad: Two patients died of swine flu in Gandhi Hospital, raising the count to 14 deaths this year since January. It is unusual for a death to occur in summer, when the disease is less in evidence, and could show that the virus has undergone genetic mutations.
The victims are a 24-year-old woman from Ibrahimpatnam and an 80-year-old woman from Dammaiguda.
Superintendent of Gandhi Hospital, Dr P. Sravan Kumar said, “Sometimes the virus will undergo genetic mutations and adapt to the surrounding. Till now total 14 people have died due to swine flu since January. People should be more careful and take necessary precautions.”
Dr Mehboob Khan, superintendent of Chest Hospital, said, “If it was winter, the spread would have been rampant. The main reason for death could be decreased immunity and not consulting a doctor in time. In winter the virus stays in the environment for quite some time. In summer, due to the scorching heat, the virus will die in a few hours.”
Speaking about the genetic mutation he said, “The virus will alt-er itself according to the season. Vaccines will not work at that time. The vaccine is manufactured with a particular condition. However there is no need to worry”
Doctors advise precautions such as covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, and immediately visiting a doctor if you are suffering the symptoms. The spread of the virus can thus be curtailed.
