Thoothukudi
Two relatives of a pregnant woman, hailing from Thoothukudi who died of suspected swine flu in Madurai, were kept under observation at the Thoothukudi Medical College Hospital on Monday.
Santhini (26), a resident of Mullakadu North Street, who was pregnant with her second child, died with swine flu symptoms at a private hospital in Madurai a few days ago. Officials, however, said that swine flu had not been confirmed.
Collector Sandeep Nanduri said five persons had been tested positive for swine flu in the district so far.
However, a senior official at the Department of Health Services said that the cases were not of a severe nature.
Mr. Nanduri said that 5-6 cases of dengue had been reported across the district, while preventive measures had been stepped up.
Virudhunagar
G. Mariammal, 62, of Malayadipatti, died due to swine flu at a private hospital in Madurai on Sunday. This is the second death in the district due to H1N1 in the last few days.
Mariammal, who developed fever, was first admitted to a private hospital at Rajapalayam on October 17. However, when her condition did not improve, she was referred to a private hospital in Madurai.
She was shifted to Madurai hospital on October 22, where she was tested positive for swine flu. The woman continued to have respiratory problems and succumbed on Sunday afternoon without responding to the treatment.
Meanwhile, the district administration has geared up to sensitise people to the preventive measures and the need to take proper treatment for fever after the death of two persons and eight others infected with the H1N1 virus.
Collector A. Sivagnanam conducted a meeting with officials of the Educational Department and 10 teachers from each of the 11 blocks where the importance of hand washing was stressed.
The teachers would, in turn, create awareness of dengue and swine flu to other teachers in the district and the students.
“Droplets caused by coughing and sneezing by swine-flu-affected persons could get settled on various surfaces and also through touching door handles and hand rails in public transports. Hence, washing hands could help in prevent contacting H1N1 virus,” an official said.
The officials have also told the teachers that the common symptoms of swine flu is high fever (over 102 degrees Fahrenheit) with sneezing, running nose, throatpain/irritation for more than three days. A throat swab test will reveal whether a person is infected with swine flu.
V. Krishnammal, 75, of Watrap, died due to swine flu on Wednesday at Government Rajaji Hospital in Madurai. Earlier, an engineering graduate, P. Ponkumar, 24, of Sivagamipuram in Rajapalayam, died on October 17 with symptoms of swine flu. The health authorities complained that he had failed to take proper medical treatment which took his life.
