Kolkata, July 20 (IANS) A 58-year-old man has died due to swine flu, becoming the first victim to be claimed by the deadly flu in West Bengal this year, an official said Tuesday.
Meanwhile, three more people tested positive for the flu, taking the total number of cases in the state this year to 20, a health department release said.

“A 58-year-old man from Kolkata suffering from multiple myoloma was on chemotherapy since last two and half months. He was admitted at Peerless Hospital, Kolkata on July 15 with fever, dry cough and shortness of breath and was put on ventilation on July 17. Throat swab collected on July 18 was reported as confirmed Influenza A HINl,” said the release.

“We had three more confirmed cases of swine flu today (Tuesday),” said Asit Biswas, state nodal officer, swine flu.

In 2009, a total of 135 people were affected by swine flu in the state. There was no deaths due to the flu.