35-year-old tests positive for swine flu

Mumbai: A 35-year old woman from Bandra (W) tested positive for the H1N1 virus on Sunday, taking the count of cases to 34 since April this year. With the arrival of monsoon, experts say people will have to remain cautious as influenza viruses tend to thrive during this time of the year. 

    This was the fifth positive case of the month, said BMC epidemiologist Dr Mangala Gomare. 
    "The patient has already been put on Tamiflu and is stable," she said, adding that the patient was taking the treatment at home. She said that the other four patients have completed their five-day course and are doing fine. 
    State epidemiologist Dr Pradeep Awate said that people have to stay alert as there could be a spurt in cases. "Monsoon is a favourable season for the virus to prosper. So, we have to stay cautious and seek medical help as soon as symptoms are visible," he said. Awate said that since April this year, H1N1 has claimed 16 lives and affected 256 people from across the state.