The
government confirmed the first swine flu death in the country, as the H1N1
virus is spreading fast with 14 more fresh cases being detected on Monday taking
the total number of patients to 213.
The official announcement came on
Monday morning after a meeting between Prime Minister's Health Affairs Adviser
Prof Syed Modasser Ali and officials of Epidemiology, Disease Control and
Research (IEDCR).
When contacted, Prof Mahmudur
Rahman, Director of IEDCR, told VOA that Mita Chakrawarty, 37, wife of Taposh
Chakrawarty of Savar, died of swine flu Sunday night at the city's LabAid
Hospital.
Mita was first admitted to Enam
Medical College Hospital in Savar on Aug 16 with fever. He said Mita, also a
relative of Dr Boren Chakrawarty of the hospital, had been suffering from
different serious complications, including the symptoms of swine flu, which
originated from Mexico and then spread to the USA.
Mahmudur Rahman also confirmed
that 14 fresh cases of the deadly H1N1 virus were detected yesterday.
The fresh Swine flu cases were
reported from different parts of the country, including the city. It's now spreading
into communities," the IEDCR Director said.
Prof Rahman, also the government
spokesperson on Swine Flu, said the country's hospitals, both in urban and
rural areas, have adequate facilities to deal with the Swine Flu cases. "I
think we can effectively tackle the present situation."He urged all
private and government hospitals to open special wards for the treatment of
Swine Flu patients.
Many private hospitals, he
alleged are refusing to admit even normal viral patients to avoid hazards.Prof
Rahman said the cooperation of all along with the government is needed to
tackle any possible epidemic situation.
He urged the people not to be
scared as the government is well-equipped to handle even a larger outbreak. He
said the government has already directed several government and private
hospitals to get ready for the treatment of the Swine Flu patients.