Bangalore techie dies of swine flu

BANGALORE - A 31-year-old software engineer died of influenza A (H1N1) here, taking the toll from the virus to 28 in Karnataka, an official said Wednesday.

The software engineer, a native of Tamil Nadu, was working with a reputed US-based IT company here. He was admitted to Lakeside Hospital in the city Aug 28 and breathed his last Tuesday evening, official added.

“He was admitted with symptoms of pneumonia in progression and was down with fever for a week before he was brought here. He was administered Tamiflu on the first day and then put on ventilator for the next three days before he died,” Lakeside Hospital director H. Paramesh told IANS.

His throat and nasal swabs were sent for tests Aug 29 and the reports confirming that he tested positive for the virus were received Tuesday, he said.

With the outbreak of swine flu pandemic, large numbers of IT companies dotting Bangalore are already in “alert” mode. However, the death of the IT professional could further “dent” the morale of the employees, feels experts.

“We are taking all preventive measures to keep our campus free from H1N1 virus. As of now, there is nothing to panic and we are duty bound to provide all sort of medical help to our employees,” said senior official of Indian IT company here.

Another 38-year-old man, who was admitted at a private hospital in the city Aug 28, died Monday. His test result arrived Tuesday and was found positive for H1N1, the health official added.

On Tuesday, Karnataka reported 22 fresh positive swine flu cases. While Bangalore reported 14 cases of H1N1 flu, Belgaum reported six and Mysore two.

With these, the total number of confirmed H1N1 positive cases in the state has reached 485.