Govt confirms first swine flu death

The government has confirmed the first death from swine flu in the country. The official announcement came after Prime Minister's Health Affairs Adviser Prof Syed Modasser Ali held a special meeting at IEDCR with its officials this morning.

Meanwhile, 14 fresh cases of the deadly H1N1 virus were detected today, raising the toll to 213 since June 18.

Prof Mahmudur Rahman, director of the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), confirmed Mitali Chakraborty, 35, died of swine flu at a private hospital last night. He also said Mitali might not have survived as she has some other complications also.

Mitali, wife of Taposh Chakraborty of Savar, was admitted to the hospital on August 20 with fever. She was admitted to Savar's Enam Medical College Hospital on Aug 16 with suspected dengue, but when it was clear her symptoms did not match dengue, and might be swine flu, Mita was transferred to Lab Aid Hospital in Dhanmondi, her family said.

She was taking anti-viral drug after she was tested positive for the H1N1 virus on August 27.
Meanwhile, the officials concerned said most of infected people have been cured and the rest are suffering from mild swine flu.

Anti-viral drug is being provided to patients with complications and sufficient quantity of drugs is in stock at all public hospitals and a few private hospitals, they added.

"Currently, the government has a stock of 29 lakh Oseltamivir capsules to treat around three lakh patients," said IEDCR Director Prof Mahmud.

"The drug is needed for a few patients. In most cases, the patients recover without the drug. What is needed the most is to keep a patient isolated to contain the spread of the virus," he said.
Different pharmaceutical companies in Bangladesh have started producing Oseltamivir. Beximco is manufacturing the drug with the brand name of Ose flu while Eskayef as SK Flu and Popular Pharmaceuticals Ltd as Oselta.

Globally, Roche is producing the drug with the brand name Tamiflu. The ingredients for producing the drug are the same for all companies, said experts.

The government said a total of 12 hospitals are under surveillance while 15 are ready for providing treatment to swine flu patients immediately. Experts, however, said the government should specify which 12 hospitals are under surveillance and the districts where swine flu has spread.

The geographical distribution of swine flu should be revealed for making people more aware about the disease and the cautionary measures. They also said April-September is the peak time of seasonal flu. So, flu-like symptoms do not mean swine flu infection.

However, they warned the situation might worsen by winter as the A/H1N1 virus spreads easily in dry season. They suggested maintaining personal hygiene like covering the mouth while sneezing or coughing, maintaining safe distance from people with flu-like illness and using masks for protection.