The first swine flu death was reported from Punganur, 60 km from here in the early hours of Tuesday. The death was reported to the district medical and health officials by the victim's family members.
Swami Raju (45), a teacher with the government upper primary school at Malenattam village of Ramasamudram mandal of Madanapalle Division, fell sick in the first week of January. He was a resident of Gokula Street of Punganur town.
A senior medical officer told The Hindu that the teacher went for treatment with some quacks in Ramasamudram and Punganur mandals, only to appraoch the area hospital in a serious condition, a week later.
The medical officers on duty referred the case to Bengaluru. Five days ago, the District Medical and Health officials said that the condition of the victim was critical. His family members said Swami Raju died this morning, while undergoing treatment at St. John's Hospital in Bengaluru.
Family members said that the body would be brought to Punganur by evening for cremation. Meanwhile, two more persons from Tirupati were undergoing treatment at a Chennai hospital for the past one week, with their condition declared safe.
