BENGALURU: On a day the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) officials confirmed that one more person died of H1N1 in the city, Health Minister U T Khader held a meeting with representatives of both private and government hospitals on Thursday.
There was concern about the shortage of the drug Tamiflu, which is administered to H1N1 patients. A BBMP official said as on Thursday, Tamiflu syrup, which is given to infants, was out of stock and about 700 tablets were available. A representative of a private hospital said they have just enough stock for now, but would need more soon.
Dr Ravi, HoD, Neurovirology at NIMHANS said even testing kits are in short supply. Khader said the issue of shortage of drugs and testing kits would soon be addressed and a list of dispensaries that have the medicine will be posted on the department’s website.
Khader told Express, “We have released 350 tablets to hospitals that had shortage and reduced dosage of medicine has been advised. The department will procure more drugs soon.”
Panicked Flock: A BBMP helpline official said people even with a mild cough and cold are scared. On Thursday, over 45 calls were registered and 90 per cent of them were panic calls, he said.
More Positive Cases
Manipal Hospitals MD Dr Sudarshan Ballal said over eight suspected cases have been reported every day in February — twice the number reported in January. The number of positive cases has shot up to 97 in the city and to 189 in the state. While there have been 15 casualties, 125 patients are on the recovery path.
First Victim in Dharwad
The H1N1 virus claimed its first victim in Dharwad district on Thursday. The victim, a 24-year-old woman, was being treated at the Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara Medical College and Hospital for the past one week, but was diagnosed with H1N1 flu only three days ago.