BENGALURU: A 36-year-old woman undergoing treatment at Manipal Hospital has died, in what is believed to be the second death from H1N1 influenza in the state this season. First H1N1-related death was reported from Shivamogga.
On Monday, the health department’s death audit committee confirmed the first H1N1 death in Bengaluru.
Vidya of Vinayak Nagar, Whitefield, died at Manipal Hospital three days back, informed Dr Prakash Kumar, state nodal officer, National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme.
“H1N1 is an air-borne infection. People coming from Hosur, Tamil Nadu may be carrying the infection with them to Karnataka. So far, 170 H1N1 cases have been reported in the state this year. In Bengaluru, H1N1 test can be done only in three labs — NIMHANS (free of cost), Narayana Nethralaya and Manipal Hospital (`2,500 per throat swab) and Command Hospital (not for civilians). These are the only recognised labs for H1N1 test in the city,” Dr Prakash said.
Officials suggest that citizens should not neglect flu-like symptoms, including fever, cough and cold, and get tested for H1N1 to be on the safe side.
“Cases are there in all of south India, including Puducherry. If the patient’s immunity is low, there will be secondary infections and co-morbid conditions. This will lead to complications. Early intervention is required but many people don’t consult the doctor considering it a common flu,” he said.
“For H1N1, RTPCR test is conducted. It is a viral diagnostic test. Apart from the three labs in Bengaluru, Manipal, Udupi also has the free testing facility,” he said.
City equipped to handle a outbreak
“We’ve got all the logistics and drugs in place. Government hospitals have separate wards or keep at least five beds reserved for H1N1. Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Diseases has an isolation ward. We keep two metres distance and isolate the patient,” Dr Prakash said.
Surveillance of patient’s kin, neighbours
“We keep people under surveillance in the patient’s house who might have come in contact with the patient. If they exhibit flu-like symptoms, we give them Tamiflu tablets for five days which are anti-viral drugs. We also ask them to be in isolation,” he added.