Hisar: A second H1N1 fatality has been reported in Haryana’s Hisar district, with the latest victim being a 69-year-old woman from Bithmara village, said a health official on Thursday.The death, reported on Wednesday, comes amid rising swine flu cases in the district. According to an official, Hisar recorded seven fresh cases on Wednesday and Thursday. Deputy civil surgeon Dr Subhash Khatreja said the deceased woman, Krishna, had been undergoing treatment at a private hospital since Aug 28 and was in a serious condition.She had tested positive for H1N1 on Sept 3, he confirmed. According to the health department’s report, the woman had diabetes. She had severe pneumonia, it said. At the time of admission, she had reported breathlessness, cough, mild fever and bodyache.The new patients who are at higher risk include a two-year-old child, and two people aged 79 and 81. H1N1 is a strain of influenza virus and can cause symptoms similar to seasonal flu, including fever, cough, sore throat, body ache and weakness. In some cases, the infection can become severe, particularly when breathing difficulties develop.Civil surgeon Dr Sapna Gehlawat appealed to people not to ignore symptoms and consult a doctor. The virus can spread through respiratory droplets released when an infected person coughs or sneezes and through close contact.
