Two more patients succumbed to swine flu in Andhra Pradesh's Kurnool district, bringing the total death toll to 14 this season. The deaths took place at the Kurnool Government General Hospital (GGH) and the deceased have been identified as a 34-year-old man who was admitted last month, and a 35-year-old patient who was admitted with another ailment but was infected by the H1N1 virus.
Speaking to TNM, District Medical and Health Officer (DMHO), Dr Prasad said that the samples of the patients who died were declared positive four to five days ago. He also stated that with the temperature slightly dropping in the state, the number of cases being reported was also on the decline.
“The number of cases has come down. The results since the last five days show that all six samples came back negative. Four days ago, we sent three samples and only one came back positive. The next two days, we saw one positive case each. There were no samples the following two days as there was a decline. On Saturday, one sample tested positive,” he said.
Last month, as the death toll reached 12, officials said that there was no reason for alarm and added that they were conducting screening camps at all major bus stations and railway stations in Kurnool, including Adoni and Nandyal.
Similar camps were also set up at the temple towns of Srisailam and Mantrayalam, where there is generally a huge influx of pilgrims.
“We are storing all required equipment, including N95 masks at community health centres, area hospitals and district hospital, along with anti-viral drugs. The confirmation of cases is being conducted at the Kurnool Area Hospital itself, with the help of the microbiology department,” the DMHO had told TNM earlier.
Swine flu is an infection caused by one of several Swine Influenza Viruses (SIV), with the H1N1 strain being the most common in India. The H1N1 virus spreads through direct contact when you touch an infected surface or breathe droplets of coughs and sneezes in the air. The symptoms include cough, sore throat, joint pains and fever.
Young children, the elderly and people with any other known underlying chronic health issues are more likely to be at risk.