RAWALPINDI, Nov 2: The death of a young man from Influenza AH3 virus has set the alarm bells ringing for the city health department.

Mohammad Shahbaz, 21, brought to Holy Family Hospital (HFH) on October 25 from Talagang, Chakwal, died on October 30. His blood samples were sent to the National Institute of Health (NIH) the same day which confirmed the presence of the virus in his body on Friday.

“The patient was suffering from fever and flu for the last one week and facing breathing problem for the last five days,” said Dr. Javed Hayat, In-charge infectious diseases at HFH, while talking to Dawn.

He said the doctors had been suspecting that the patient was suffering from swine flu which proved otherwise after the NIH report.

“Influenza AH3 is also deadly virus and a severe kind of flu,” he said adding the disease was contagious and transmitted to other persons through handshake.

Dr Javed Hayat said that the people should ensure personal hygiene to avoid all types of influenzas and wash their hands before meals. He said the hospital was making arrangements to procure the vaccine for the Influenza AH3.

He said the hospital administration had put the staff on high alert and started fumigating the wards which would be completed in two or three days.