H1N1 Swine Flu Surges in India, Hits Rural Gujarat Hard
Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 2010/01/06 - Updated: 2025/07/02
Publication Type: Informative
Category Topic: H1N1 Virus (Swine Flu) - Academic Publications
Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Insights, Updates
Synopsis: This article provides a detailed snapshot of the H1N1 swine flu outbreak in India as of January 2010, reporting a death toll of 1,002 and 26,371 laboratory-confirmed cases, with specific focus on rising cases in rural Gujarat. It outlines the government's response, including airport screenings since May 2009, and highlights regional health challenges, such as 30 patients under treatment in Rajkot. The information is authoritative, drawing from official health department data and World Health Organization reports, making it a reliable resource for understanding the epidemic's scope. It's particularly useful for public health officials, researchers, and individuals seeking historical context on pandemics, including seniors or those with disabilities who may be more vulnerable to respiratory infections and need clear, factual data to inform health decisions - Disabled World (DW).
Introduction
Soon after the outbreak of H1N1 virus (Swine Flu) in the United States and Mexico in March 2009, the Government of India started screening people coming from affected countries for swine flu symptoms.
Main Content
The first case of Swine flu in India was found on the Hyderabad airport on 13 May, when a man traveling from US to India was found H1N1 positive. More confirmed cases were reported and the rate of transmission of the H1N1 virus increased in the beginning of August 2009, with the first death due to swine flu in India occurring in Pune, panic began to spread.
The H1N1 Swine Flu death toll in India has now reached 1002, with the death of 13 more people due to the H1N1 virus. Two new deaths were reported from Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, and 11 earlier deaths were confirmed. The number of laboratory-confirmed H1N1 cases in India is now at 26,371.
The latest review of the swine flu situation in Gujarat conducted by the Health Department has revealed the H1N1 virus scare is rising in rural areas of Rajkot, Surendranagar and Kutch districts of Gujarat.
The death toll due to swine flu in Rajkot rose to 29 after a teenage girl from Gandhidham succumbed to the deadly infection at the Civil Hospital in the early hours of Monday. At present, as many as 30 patients, of which 24 have been tested positive, are undergoing treatment at the isolation wards of the hospital.
Six more swine flu deaths, including that of a two-year-old boy, have been reported in Gujarat on Friday, while 24 more people tested positive for H1N1 virus, state Health officials said. While one person died at the Rajkot Civil Hospital on Friday, four persons succumbed to the disease on Thursday and one had died on December 25. Health officials said 24 new cases have been reported today from Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Bhuj, Bhavnagar, Amreli, Vadodara and Jamnagar.
India on Monday issued a travel advisory on swine flu, asking Indians to restrict travel to the United States, Mexico, Canada, New Zealand and France.
Current Swine Flu Death Statistics in India:
- Maharashtra - 278
- Rajasthan - 152
- Karnataka - 133
- Gujarat - 132
- Delhi - 72
- Andhra Pradesh - 52
- Punjab - 34
- Haryana - 33
- Kerala - 33
- Uttar Pradesh - 16
- Uttarakhand - 13
- Madhya Pradesh - 11
- Chandigarh - 8
Generic version of Tamiflu (Oseltamivir) will now be available in India as Natco Pharma and Strides Arcolabs have launched their generic version of Oseltamivir, Natflu and Starflu. These drugs will be available to the customers directly under prescription.
World Swine Flu Deaths to Date: Jan - 06 - 2010
Swine flu has killed at least 12,799 people worldwide since it first emerged in Mexico in March 2009, the World Health Organization said Friday.
The Americas continues to report the biggest number of casualties with at least 6,880 deaths while in Europe, at least 2,554 people have died from the A(H1N1) virus.
The latest data posted by the UN health agency marked a worldwide increase of 579 deaths from the previous update published nine days ago.
Insights, Analysis, and Developments
Editorial Note: The 2010 H1N1 outbreak in India, as detailed in this article, underscores the critical need for robust public health systems to manage rapidly spreading infectious diseases. The reported cases and deaths, particularly in rural areas, reveal the challenges of containing a virus in diverse, densely populated regions. This historical account serves as a reminder of the importance of timely screenings, transparent reporting, and accessible healthcare, especially for vulnerable populations like the elderly and those with disabilities. It also prompts reflection on how far global and national health strategies have evolved since 2010, urging continued vigilance and investment in pandemic preparedness to protect all communities - Disabled World (DW).
Author Credentials: Ian is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Disabled World, a leading resource for news and information on disability issues. With a global perspective shaped by years of travel and lived experience, Ian is a committed proponent of the Social Model of Disability-a transformative framework developed by disabled activists in the 1970s that emphasizes dismantling societal barriers rather than focusing solely on individual impairments. His work reflects a deep commitment to disability rights, accessibility, and social inclusion. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and accomplishments, visit his full biography.