A 38-year-old woman is suspected to have become the third H1N1-related fatality in Coimbatore.
According to Health Department officials, the resident of Saravanampatti had taken self-medication for fever a week ago. However, her condition deteriorated on Saturday and was admitted to the Coimbatore Medical College Hospital (CMCH) with symptoms similar to H1N1. She died later in the day.
Following this, the Health Department is administering prophylactic treatment to the cab driver who brought her to the hospital and relatives and those who came in contact with the woman. The department was also testing them for H1N1 as a precautionary measure. Further, the officials have sprayed disinfectants in their residences and the locality .
A middle-aged woman died in January this year, making her the first H1N1-related fatality in Coimbatore. A 40-year-old man from Kottur died at a private hospital in the district in February. Several H1N1 patients are currently undergoing treatment at an exclusive ward established in the CMCH.