Swine flu claims 8 lives in Karnataka between Jan and Apr

The H1N1 influenza has claimed eight lives in Karnataka between January and April, State Health Minister U T Khadar said today.

As many as 80 people are reported to have been suffering from H1N1 influenza and are being treated at Rajiv Gandhi Hospital for Communicable Diseases, he said.

The Minister said he would write to the central government seeking reintroduction of health checkup at the airport on passengers arriving from Central Asian countries in the wake of World Health Organisation sounding an alert due to the onset of monsoon season.

Khadar also said the government will strictly implement Centre’s Food Safety Act and levy a heavy fine on violators failing to register their eateries with the state health department.

Cooks will be provided with health cards and they would not be allowed to work in hotels if they are found suffering from chronic diseases, he said.