The death-toll from a swine flu outbreak in the Punjab has now climbed to 18 as 53 more are being treated in hospitals. More cases have also been confirmed in at least 171 countries and territories claiming at least 139 lives. Punjab Health Services Director General Doctor Amjad Shehzad claimed on Friday that the number of patients in the province was 53 and two new patients had been reported in Lahore during the past 24 hours while one died at the Holy Family Hospital in Rawalpindi, taking the death-count to 18.
The concerns have prompted daily meetings chaired by Punjab Chief Secretary Khizar Hayat Gonda reviewing the situation. Addressing a meeting, the chief secretary claimed that all possible measures were being taken to control the disease and urged hospitals to treat the patients with better medical facilities. The meeting also drew in Health Advisor Khawaja Salman Rafique, Member of Punjab Assembly Khwaja Imran Nazir, Additional Chief Secretary Shumail Ahmad Khwaja, Health Secretary Najam Ahmad Shah, Health Secretary (Primary) Ali Jan, and Punjab Information Technology Board Chairman Dr Umer Saif. Health experts have cautioned the public to face masks at public places and gatherings against the H1, N1 flu virus and picking noses and putting fingers in mouth.
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