Two die of swine flu in Tamil Nadu's Madurai; six more hospitalised

MADURAI / NAGERCOIL: Two women died while six others were admitted with symptoms of swine flu. Meenakshi, a middle-aged woman who had tested positive for Swine Flu (H1N1), succumbed to the infection on Friday, while Veerammal (70), who was being treated at the special ward in Madurai Government Rajaji Hospital (GRH), died on Saturday night. 

Confirming the deaths, the dean of Madurai Medical College, D Maruthupandian, said Veerammal was treated in the special ward but that she had tested negative for H1N1.

He also said that six persons, who had tested positive for H1N1, were being treated at a special isolated ward in the GRH and were out of danger. The special ward, which has a capacity of 10 beds, is being monitored by a separate team of doctors in two shifts. 

Besides, additional nurses have been deputed to the ward and they work in three shifts, he said. “The special ward is equipped with ventilator support devices. Adequate stock of antibiotics are available at the hospital,” he explained.

Sexagenarian dies

A 60-year-old retired professor from Ramanpudhur here, who was tested positive for swine flu and had been receiving treatment at Kanniyakumari Government Medical College Hospital in Asaripallam for over a week, succumbed during the evening hours of Sunday. 

Sources told Express that, Theresa Josephine Rani, the victim, was tested ‘positive’ for swine flu by a private lab and administered treatment at a private hospital here for five days till October 12. However, she died on Sunday.

Pregnant woman dies of H1N1 in Puducherry

A 28-year-old woman, who was nine months pregnant, died of swine flu (H1N1) at the Jipmer hospital here on Sunday. She was one among the 39 cases of influenza reported across Puducherry. Sukanya from Koodapakkam was first admitted at the Rajiv Gandhi Women and Children Hospital and subsequently referred to Jipmer