AHMEDABAD: With election rallies and campaign around, health authorities in Gujarat are a worried lot, with the swine flu cases showing no sign of decline.In just two and half months, of 2019, the state has seen 4,296 cases till March 17, which is double the number of cases recorded in the entire 2018, which was 2,164 cases. On Tuesday one death and 24 new swine flu cases were registered at Surat and Ahmedabad and each registering 5 new cases. Till March 17 a total of 125 people have died in Gujarat.A major concern are the elections and political leaders holding public rallies, because of which the health department has advised several municipal corporations and hospital superintendents to act swiftly in suspected cases. The Gujarat figures for swine flu show that the H1N1 virus had become active towards October end last year, increased during November and December and was to subside by mid-March with temperatures rising. But temperature fluctuations are concern for health authorities. The only consolation is that as compared to 2017 the survival rates of patients have improved as there are fewer deaths when compared to previous years.A senior health official told TOI, “In mid-March we expected the temperature to rise, but for the initial week the temperatures were below normal and hence the cases continued to rise.” He added that the the swine flu cases will drastically take a plunge in the coming five to six days and drastically reduce by the end of the month,” he said. The official said that most of the mortality were because patient reported late and or were suffering from co-morbid conditions.

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