From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore
Bangalore, Aug 17: Confirming that A - H1N1 influenza (swine flu) has claimed 216 lives in the state since January 2009, chief minister B S Yeddyurappa has directed all urban civic bodies to give top priority to maintain hygiene and arrest the spread of the virus.
The chief minister, who chaired a review meeting of the health department said 135 people died due to the virus in 2009 while the number of deaths this year is 81 so far, taking the overall figure to 216 since January last year.
There were 3,000 confirmed A-H1N1 cases in the state from January last year till August 13 this year, he said.
In the wake of widespread prevalence of dengue and chikungunya, the chief minister instructed all district in-charge ministers and MLAs to tour their constituencies and districts to ensure that proper steps were taken for controlling the diseases and ensure availability of medicines in government-run hospitals and primary health centers.
Yeddyurappa directed chief secretary S V Ranganath to arrange a video-conferencing on Wednesday with all Deputy Commissioners of districts to take stock of the situation and assess the spread of dengue and chikungunya cases.
The chief minister, however, said cases of H1N1 virus were less this year compared to last year. The state is better placed compared to other states in the country on H1N1 front, he claimed.
The A H1N1 deaths during May 2009-August 8, 2010 in Maharashtra, Gujarat and in Karnataka are 612, 323 and 198, respectively, the chief minister said and stressed that there was no need to worry on the A- H1N1 front.
A total of 91 government and private hospitals in the city have been designated to treat A-H1N1 patients and four hospitals - National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bangalore, Narayana Nethralaya, Command Hospital and KMC, Manipal - are equipped to conduct sample tests, he added.
Making it clear that there was no shortage of tamiflu tablets and vaccination, he said a meeting would be convened every week under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary to take stock of A H1N1 situation in the State.
A total of 17,374 malaria cases have been reported from January to June against 36,859 cases last year. It claimed one life this year against eight last year. A total of 5244 chikunguniya cases have been reported so far this year and 528 have been tested positive, he said.