Infant’s Death Sparks Controversy over H1N1 Diagnosis in Silchar Hospital

A 3-month-old infant, undergoing treatment at Silchar Medical College and Hospital (SMCH), died, sparking controversy over the cause of death. While SMCH authorities attribute it to comorbid factors, the district health department claims the infant was H1N1 positive. Dr. Bhaskar Gupta, SMCH principal, stated the death was due to MRSA infection, not H1N1. However, Dr. Ashutosh Barman from the district health department asserted the infant was H1N1 positive. The conflicting statements have raised concerns, with intensified awareness drives initiated across Block PHCs in the district. Five H1N1 positive cases were reported at SMCH, with one patient still under treatment.