The H1N1 influenza has claimed eight lives in Karnataka between January and April, State Health Minister U T Khadar said Friday.
As many as 80 people are reported to have been sufferingfrom H1N1 influenza and are being treated at Rajiv GandhiHospital for Communicable Diseases, he said.
The Minister said he would write to the central government seeking reintroduction of health checkup at the airport on passengers arriving from Central Asian countries in the wake of World Health Organisation sounding an alert due to the onset of monsoon season.
Khadar also said the government will strictly implementCentre's Food Safety Act and levy a heavy fine on violators failing to register their eateries with the state health department.
Cooks will be provided with health cards and they would not be allowed to work in hotels if they are found suffering from chronic diseases, he said.