Journalism of Courage
Even as the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) health authorities identified 344 mosquito breeding sites on Thursday as part of its wardwise container survey,another swine flu (H1N1 virus) death reported from the city has the civic body stepping up surveillance measures.
A 42-year-old man from Navi Peth died due to H1N1 virus on October 31,Dr S T Pardeshi,acting chief medical officer,PMC said. Pardeshi said the victim did not avail immediately treatment when he had symptoms from October 10. However,when he suffered from breathlessness he was admitted to a local hospital after which he was shifted to Ruby Hall Clinic. His throat swab tested positive for swine flu on October 18. He succumbed to the viral infection and died of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
Meanwhile,till date there have been 492 cases of dengue fever in Pune and surrounding areas. On Thursday,PMCs insect control department conducted a ward wise survey of the mosquito breeding sites and conducted a survey of 76,555 containers out of which 344 breeding spots were identified.
The survey was conducted at 60,746 homes and a population of 2.5 lakh was covered in a single day,Dr Vaishali Jadhav,in charge of the insect control department said.
A total of 295 blood samples have been collected and 54 construction sites checked. Three notices have been issued for water collection at the sites. However,officials are hopeful that the cases will reduce by another week. We have been instructed to search each and every corner of the flat to identify mosquito breeding sites, Pardeshi said.
