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The swine flu epidemic, which is presently sweeping the country, has claimed its first victim in Assam.
The first death due to swine flu has been reported after the blood of a suspected victim, tested post-death, revealed positive for the H1N1 virus.
Nodal officer for swine flu monitoring in the state Bhabesh Bhagawati confirmed the death of a swine flu patient.
He said the person was undergoing treatment for high blood pressure and sugar at the Jorhat Medical College and Hospital (JMCH), with symptoms of the H1N1 influenza.
"He was referred to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMC H) here, but he expired on the way. His blood tested positive for H1N1 virus," Bhagawati said.
The victim expired on March 6 last, local reports said, and the blood tests results were made available only yesterday. The victim was a retired treasury officer from Sivasagar.
He is a resident of Choladhara in Jorhat.
Reports said he was in Majuli for some time, before falling sick.
The death has raised questions on the preparedness of the state health department. Sources said JMCH has not yet set up isolation wards as part of the precautionary measures. There are also allegations that the doctors did not treat the victim for swine flu and he was diagnosed of the virus only after his death.
Two more suspected patients - one from Jorhat and another from Bokajan in Karbi Anglong district - have been kept in isolation after they were referred to JMCH from private hospital in Jorhat.
Six other cases of swine flu have been detected in the state so far, and all the patients have been cured already, the state health department said.
