The death toll because of suspected influenza H1N1 has gone up to four in Dakshina Kannada district.
Abdullah, 50, of Vamajoor, who died on October 3, was the first case.
Talking to reporters here on Wednesday, District Health and Family Welfare Officer (DHO) M. Ramakrishna Rao said Mr. Abdullah had mild fever followed by cough, headache and body ache on September 17. After breathlessness on September 18, he was taken to a private hospital in Kankanady and then to another hospital in Attavar.
Dr. Rao said throat swabs of Mr. Abdullah tested at the authorised centre in Manipal on September 25 showed positive for H1N1. He died on October 3. He was among the high risk persons where H1N1 infection aggravated his health problem, Dr. Rao said.
Other deaths
Jameela, 38, of Halekote near Ullal died on October 8, four days after she got admitted to a private hospital in Falnir. Her throat swabs were tested at Manipal on October 8 and she was found positive for H1N1.
Avamma, 50, of Sajipanadu in Bantwal, who tested positive for H1N1, died on October 10. Her daughter Jabeena, 24, died after a three-week treatment for H1N1 in a private hospital in Deralakatte on October 16.
Dr. Rao said a team headed by him and comprising Superintendent of Government Wenlock Hospital, a physician, a pulmonologist, and doctors who have treated the victims, will conduct a detailed audit to find the exact cause of the four deaths. The team will complete the work by Monday, he added.
The DHO said it was usual to see a spike in the cases of swine flu during winter. Of the 359 persons tested since January, 31 tested positive for H1N1 and four among them died. Last year, 330 persons tested positive of which seven died.
He said though doctors were aware of H1N1, the department will conduct seminars in the next few days to reiterate the treatment regime and preventive aspects.
While asking people not to panic, Dr. Rao said persons with mild fever and cough will get cured with symptomatic treatment.
Tamilflu, the anti-viral medicine, should be taken only by persons with high grade fever and those from high risk category, including children, pregnant woman and those aged above 65 years.
