Two deaths in Kolkata, six in Hyderabad, total tally 415
Agencies
GUWAHATI/KOLKATA, FEBRUARY 12.
The deadly swine flu is spreading towards the North Eastern region. Nearer home in Kolkata the Swine flu has claimed two lives and seven fresh cases have been detected, a West Bengal health department official said Thursday. The deaths of two women were reported late Wednesday, according to state Health Secretary Moloy De.
"Seven more people have tested positive as of today (Thursday). Till Wednesday, there were 10 cases and out of them, two succumbed Wednesday night," De told IANS.
He said the total number of patients afflicted was now 15.
Swine flu cases were first reported in West Bengal on Monday.
Tests were being conducted at the National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases (NICED) facility in Beleghata.
De said the central medical store has been instructed to stock Oseltemavir tablets and masks.
Hospitals and medical colleges have been asked to remain extremely watchful and be ready with facilities for treating H1N1 cases.
The union health ministry Friday reviewed the swine flu situation in various states, including Madhya Pradesh, Haryana and Gujarat. More than 200 people have lost their lives to swine flu this year.
Meanwhile, six persons died on a single day due to swine flu in Hyderabad on Thursday taking the overall death toll to 59 this year. While the number of swine flu positive cases reported in Telangana and City has crossed 950, the total number of fatalities due to H1N1 in two months has reached 59.
Four persons of various age groups died at state-run Gandhi Hospital, while two persons died at corporate hospitals in Hyderabad. Majority of deaths that occurred at Gandhi Hospital were brought from private hospitals in a very critical state, the doctors said. The names and other details of the deceased persons was yet to be ascertained by the authorities.
It is worth noting here that the death toll has mounted to 415 in the country.
The latest government data said that 5,157 cases of the disease has been reported since January 1 this year till February 10.
