Udupi: Swine Flu Endemic Scare – District Loses Two Lives

Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Jul 8: H1N1, also known as Swine Flu, which had spread its tentacles in the district during 2009, has become active in the district again. With the arrival of monsoon, the disease seems to have gained foothold in the coast this year. It is learnt that two persons from the district have died of swine flu during the last two months.

Nine persons were treated for swine flu at KMC Hospital, Manipal, which has been designated to treat this ailment, during May and June this year. Four among them died. Two of them were from this district, one was from Shimoga, while the other was from Bellary district. At present, a person from Shimoga district continues to be treated for swine flu and this patient is expected to be discharged in a couple of days.

This information was given by district health and family welfare officer, Dr Ramachandra Bairy. He said that the health department has taken preventive measures against the spread of the disease and also to treat the patients with swine flu symptoms promptly. He said that out of the two persons, who died of H1N1 in the district, one was from within Manipur primary health centre jurisdiction and other from Hebri. “Out of two people from the same family from Hebri who developed symptoms of swine flu, one has recovered, while the other succumbed,” Bairy added.

He said that the department had convened three meetings of doctors and others to alert them towards the swine flu scare, and educate them about the measures to be taken to prevent the spread of the disease and treat the patients promptly. He added that medicine in syrup and tablet form have been supplied to all the primary health centres in enough quantities. He said that the chances of getting infected with the disease increases when many people come together in marriage and other functions. He expected the incidence of the disease to gradually come down and disappear altogether, as such functions will be lesser in number during later months of monsoon.