Hyderabad, June 25: THE dreaded swine flu, which claimed hundreds of lives across the country last year, appears to be in a revival mode this season. A 28-year-old woman from Mahabubnagar district fell prey to the virus at the Gandhi General Hospital on Thursday morning taking the toll in the last one week to three.
The condition of three others undergoing treatment at the same hospital is critical. The deaths recorded so far were from Visakhapatnam, Medak and Mahabubnagar districts each.
The latest victim, Vani, was first admitted to the government medical college in Mahabubnagar and then to a private hospital in Malakpet here. “But as her condition turned critical, her relatives shifted her to the Gandhi hospital on Wednesday afternoon where she died around 1:30 a.m.,” Hyderabad District Health and Medical Officer Dr Ch Jayakumari said. Ever since the monsoon arrived, there has been a spurt in swine flu cases in the State. More than 23 persons tested positive for the H1N1 influenza at various hospitals including the Government Chest Hospital here.
The alarming fact is that the virus is spreading in districts, particularly those bordering Maharashtra and Karnataka. The District Health and Medical Department is distributing posters and pamphlets to all government and private schools and colleges to create awareness among students and parents. This being the beginning of the academic year and common cold being all pervasive this season, the authorities are worried that the swine flu could spread rapidly.
The authorities have also advised school managements to take precautionary measures and provide pure drinking water besides undertaking sanitation works on a regular basis to prevent waterlogging during the rainy season. Tami flu is also being supplied to all government hospitals.
According to Jayakumari, no case has been reported from Hyderabad and its suburban localities in the last few months but as a precautionary measures eight screening centres have been set up in the city. Dr S V Prasad, Superintendent of the Government Chest Hospital, said bordering districts of the state fall in the danger zone. At least 50 cases were detected in Maharashtra, Kerala and Karnataka. “Surveillance and screening have to be a top priority. The virus can spread rapidly during monsoon and winter months. Therefore, we could see more cases in the coming days. It could be serious,” Prasad warned.
—Agencies