Kin of people claimed by swine flu give their funeral a miss Fear of swine flu has reached the funeral grounds too. Relatives of persons, who have succumbed to the H1N1 virus, are refusing to attend their funerals. u00a0 This has forced the authorities to withhold names of the victims. The death toll due to swine flu has reached 406 in the last months. The fear of getting infected is more in the rural areas adjoining the city. Vimal Balkrishna Zodge, a 45-year-old woman from Shingve village near Ambegaon, died in the city on August 6 and nobody in her village attended her funeral because of swine flu phobia. Recalling the trauma faced by the family even after Vimal's death, her cousin Arun Shinde said: "It is really sad that there is social stigma attached with swine flu like HIV-AIDS. People are under the misconception that swine flu spreads if they even attend the funeral of the victim." "The fear of swine flu has spread like wildfire. About 33 people who came in contact with Vimal's body at the funeral were later given the Tamiflu tablets," said Ganish Pandit, the village sarpanch (head). He said they had even shut down the village schools for a week and fumigated the entire village. Areas such as Daund, Wagholi, Urali Kanchan, Patas and others around the city are also witnessing the same situation. "It is really difficult to convince relatives to attend the funeral," said Dattatraya Ambige. His friend Dattu Talpe from Kharpur village of Khed district lost his life owing to swine flu on August 22 at Sassoon hospital. "None of my friends came to perform the last rites for fear of getting infected," Ambige pointed out. Religious functions, celebrations are also getting affected as people are not ready to participate in the celebrations," Ambige said. Dr K M Deshpande from the Deputy Director Office of Health Services said they had instructed their doctors and staff not to reveal the names of persons who succumbed to swine flu. "We have taken the decision to prevent people from panicking about the pandemic." Pune District Health Officer Dr S G Gore said: "The situation is definitely under control and people should not worry. Tamiflu tablets are being immediately provided to persons who have came in close contact with those who succumbed to swine flu."

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Swine flu tag turns away relatives

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