Another person succumbs to swine flu in Prakasam

Health Minister says 32 cases reported across State, puts death toll at two

School students wearing masks as a precautionary measure against swine flu in Anantapur on Saturday. - PHOTO: R. V. S. PRASAD

The swine flu threat is looming large over the State, with one more death reported in Ongole on Saturday, increasing the toll to three in Prakasam district alone. A few more patients tested positive in Anantapur, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam districts as well.

A woman Kokiladevi (72) died while undergoing treatment at a corporate hospital in Ongole on Saturday, Prakasam DM & HO J. Yasmin said.

The final test report of a 45-year-old man undergoing treatment for suspected swine flu in a private hospital was awaited, Integrated Disease Surveillance Project (IDSP) Data Manager Ch. Prabakar Reddy said.

Meanwhile, in Anantapur district a woman identified as Nageswari from Gollapalli in Tanakallu mandal, undergoing treatment at Rural Development Trust hospital at Battalapalli, tested positive.

“The throat swab samples of two more suspected cases have been sent to the Institute of Preventive Medicine, Hyderabad,” DM & HO S. Prabhu Dastagiri said.

In Visakhapatnam, of the seven suspected cases, three tested positive. They were undergoing treatment at King George Hospital and two private hospitals, respectively.

Another suspected case reported from Papepalli in Chittoor district was referred to the government area hospital at Madanapalle. The person Anand (25) was shifted to Madanapalle for diagnosis and his secretion samples were sent to Bengaluru for confirmation.

In Vizianagaram, health officials formed five teams for door-to-door survey in Bhogapuram and Dasannapeta after two cases were reported. DM & HO U. Swarajya Lakshmi said P. Jyoti Kumari (41) of Dasannapeta, who was being treated at a hospital in Hyderabad, died today.

A woman identified as Pushpalata (32), who tested positive four days ago, was recovering at a private hospital.

Measures being taken: Kamineni

Meanwhile, Health Minister Kamineni Srinivas said all measures were being taken to prevent the spread of swine flu. In a statement, he said 32 cases had been reported in 13 districts and claimed that only two deaths had occurred in the State.

“All government hospitals have been told to take preventive steps and observers have been appointed in all districts. Medicine stocks including homeopathy and ayurveda are being provided at all hospitals,” he added.