NEW DELHI: People in the age group of 30-45 years have been the worst affected by swine flu with most number of deaths, 34 percent of the toll, taking place in this age bracket.   

According to the Union Health Ministry, 34 percent of the 723 deaths that were analysed have occurred in the age group 30-45 years, followed closely by those in the 45-60 bracket (32 percent).        

The Health Ministry has conducted an age and sex wise analysis of influenza A (H1N1) deaths. It has also analysed data to find out the most prevalent weeks, deaths due to co-morbid conditions and many other such aspects.            

The analysis shows 17 percent of deaths occurred in the age group of 18-30 years while 12 percent of deaths were in the 60 and above age category.           

Four percent deaths have occurred in the age group of 0-12 percent while the analysis further states that one per cent death has taken place in the age group of 12-18 years.  

The analysis said that among the total deaths, 50.35 percent of them were females while 49.65 percent were males.  

The Health Ministry figures shows that as on March 17, 1,809 persons have perished due to the disease while the number of affected persons across various states was 30,766. This is the first time that the Ministry has given detailed break-up of the number.   

The analysis states that in Gujarat and Rajasthan, which are the most affected states, more than 50 percent deaths have taken place to people who had co-morbid conditions while in Karnataka it was more than 72 percent.     

Co-morbidity is the presence of one or more additional diseases co-occurring with a primary disease. Such persons are immuno-compromised and consequently more vulnerable. In this category are the patients with diseases such as cancer, diabetes, tuberculosis, other respiratory diseases.         

Of the total 541 deaths in Gujarat, 189 were analysed in which 98 persons had co-morbid conditions. The maximum number of patients were having lung-related diseases.   

Similarly in Rajasthan, 50 deaths were analysed in which 27 persons (54 percent) had such conditions. In Delhi, six deaths were analysed in which three persons were found to have co-morbid conditions. While two were suffering from diabetes, one was suffering from lung disease. Delhi till date has registered 11 deaths due to swine flu.

Read More: Tetanus Shot May Boost Brain Cancer Survival

Swine Flu Strain In India Has Acquired Mutation, More Dangerous Now, Says MIT Study