Swine flu claims first victim in Odisha

The dreaded swine flu Sunday claimed its first victim of this year in Odisha, with a 42-year-old man dying of the disease at a hospital in Cuttack, a doctor said.

Aditya Narayan Jena of Mukundaprasad in Khurdha district died due to the swine flu disease at the SCB Medical College and Hospital, the hospital's emergency officer Bhubananada Maharana said.

Jena - the cousin of Bhubaneswar mayor Anant Narayan Jena - was being treated at a private hospital in Bhubaneswar and was Sunday shifted to the SCB Medical College and Hospital after his condition deteriorated.

"The patient was in a very critical condition when he was brought here. Doctors here tried their best, but could not revive him," Maharana said.

Following the death, health department officials held an emergency meeting to review the situation in the state.

Health secretary Arati Ahuja said it was first death due to swine flu this year.

She, however, said there was no need for panic as the government was taking steps to prevent the spread of the disease.

Jena had tested positive for the H1N1 swine flu virus Saturday, taking the number of patients who have tested positive for the dreaded disease in the state to four.

"The patient was a diabetic and was brought to hospital in a critical condition that made it difficult for doctors to treat him," said public health director Kailash Dash.

He said doctors have administered preventive medicines to his family members and others who came in contact with the person.