The death of a man due to A(H1N1) influenza was reported in Chitradurga district and three were suspected to have been affected by the virus in Belagavi district on Wednesday.
Chitradurga District Health Officer Mahalingappa told presspersons that there were two confirmed cases of A(H1N1) in the district and the second person was being treated. Steps had been taken to open separate wards in government and private hospitals and medicines, including triple layer masks and other material, had been stored.
A total of 36 cases have been reported from 2009 till date in the district. As many as 17 persons died and the remaining recovered. Tests were conducted on 139 persons. Tests were conducted on 10 persons in 2012 and four were confirmed. In 2013, only one suspected case was reported from the district and in 2014 four cases were reported from the district, he added. Helplines had been opened and the numbers were 08194-235657, 82775-18666 and 94498-43250, he added.
Of the three cases in Belagavi, a 71-year-old man from Mangawati, a border village in Athani taluk in Belagavi district, was admitted to a private hospital in Belagavi. Two others are from Belagavi city and have been admitted to Belgaum Institute of Medical Sciences for treatment.
The samples of swab from their nose and throat had been sent to Manipal Centre for Virus Research, Manipal. According to epidemiologist Ranjeesh Meti, a confirmed case of A (H1N1) influenza was reported from Nipani of Chikkodi taluk, who was treated on time and discharged. Last year, three cases were reported from different parts of the district.
He said precautionary measures had been taken in the district and a 24x7 helpline had been set up to help patients. The number is 0831-2424285.
There was no need to panic as medicines were available with government hospitals. He appealed to the people to follow the do’s and don’ts as suggested by the Health Department and contact the nearest hospital if symptoms such as sore throat, fever, cold and cough, chest pain and breathlessness, were reported.
The helpline number for Belagavi district is 0831-2424285
The numbers for Chitradurga district are 08194-235657, 82775-18666 and 94498-43250
Published - February 12, 2015 12:00 am IST
