Goa, Aug. 25 -- SHASHWAT GUPTA RAY

Goa is witnessing a marked rise in influen za cases, with doctors re porting a sharp increase in patients with respiratory illnesses over the past two months and urging people not to dismiss persistent fe ver, cough and body aches as routine seasonal ailments. Consultant pulmonolo gist Dr Ashwini Collaco said her outpatient department had seen a significant in crease in patients with up per respiratory symptoms such as runny nose and dry cough, as well as lower res piratory illnesses including viral acute bronchitis. "Diagnostic testing has revealed a high prevalence of Influenza A (H1N1/swine flu) alongside a smaller number of Covid-19 cases, and instances of co-infec tions with multiple viruses are al...