MUMBAI: Nearly 80% of the influenza H1N1 deaths in the state this year have been in age groups above 40. An analysis of 108 swine flu deaths has also found the highest fatalities among individuals with dual comorbidities of diabetes and hypertension. Around 52% of the deaths are from urban areas.

Maharashtra has seen the resurgence of swine flu this year after a lull of two years when Covid-19 was the dominant virus. The state has reported over 2,337 cases, up from 387 registered in 2021 and 121 in 2020. There were just five confirmed deaths in the last two years put together.

The state's latest analysis underlined that people from higher age groups and underlying health problems remain the most susceptible. Of the 108 deceased, 72 were men and 36 were women. In absolute numbers, the age group between 41-50 witnessed the highest deaths (26), accounting for nearly a fourth of the total casualties. Another 55% of deaths came from those aged above 51. However, the analysis shows that two children below 10years of age also succumbed to the infection.

The majority of cases and deaths have been reported from the mobile age groups of 41 to 60, which has always been the trend, said Dr Pradeep Awate, state surveillance officer. About deaths in younger age groups, he said they often had an underlying condition which got exacerbated by the viral infection.

Almost 19% of the victims had a known history of diabetes and hypertension. While another 14% had just hypertension and 8% had only diabetes. One of the deceased was obese, and one had asthma, the state review showed.

Incidentally, the review also showed that 47% of the deceased had no apparent comorbidities, yet they succumbed to the infection. Could a delay in getting tested and the right treatment have caused the deaths? Dr Awate said the national guidelines are clear that hospitalised patients be tested primarily. "Patients suspected of swine flu don't need a positive report to be started on oseltamivir," he added.

Some doctors said swine flu has been a tad more aggressive this year in some cases compared to the previous years. "Many patients are coming in with severe lung disease," said Dr Umang Agrawal, infectious disease consultant at P D Hinduja Hospital. He said that elderly patients with multiple comorbidities require ICU admission. "Those who succumb belong to the age group of over 55. Among comorbidities, those who are immunosuppressed,cancer patients, cardiac or pre-existing lung diseases etc remain the most susceptible," he said. A civic official said those with comorbidities should co-nsider taking the flu vaccine.

Courtesy: TOI