The city has so far reported two deaths of persons diagnosed with influenza A (H1N1). While the first death was of a tourist from Gujarat, another was of a person from neighbouring Kasaragod.
According to District Health Officer Ramakrishna Rao, Anjana Patel (40), a native of Gujarat, had come down to attend a funeral of her relative here in December third week. After she reported fever and headache, she was taken to a private hospital near Kudroli temple and then moved to another private hospital in K.S. Rao Road, where she died in January first week.
Another death was of Brijesh (33) of Kasaragod. Mr. Brijesh, who had returned from Dubai, had symptoms of influenza and was taken to primary health centre in Kerala’s Vellarikkundu on January 29 and from there to a hospital in Kanhangad. Mr. Brijesh was then brought to a private hospital in the city where he died on February 9.
Dr. Rao said that since January they had taken throat swabs of 30 persons and were tested at the designated laboratory in Manipal. Of these, five persons, including the two deceased persons, have been found positive for A (H1N1).
Among the three undergoing treatment included 23-year-old medical intern who was treating Brijesh. A 53-year-old woman from Udupi, who was recovering in a private hospital, has been put on artificial breathing support system.
A 12-year-old boy from Kushalanagar in Kodagu district was also undergoing treatment, said District Disease Surveillance Officer B.V. Rajesh.
Precautions
Asking people not to get panic over the A(H1N1) cases, Dr. Rao said this influenza was similar to any other Flu and gets spread from droplets that follow coughing and sneezing. If high fever and body ache does not subside even after two days of medication, people should approach the nearest hospital and get anti viral tablets Tamiflu, which, he said, was available in sufficient quantity.
Health Minister U.T. Khader chaired a meeting of government doctors and private hospital representatives through video conferencing from Bengaluru. In the meeting the need was expressed to vaccinate health personnel from A(H1N1) to prevent infection.
