Swine flu toll rises to nine in Hyderabad

HYDERABAD - The influenza A (H1N1) virus has claimed two more lives in Hyderabad Sunday, taking the toll to nine, while the Andhra Pradesh government has decided to bring the treatment of the swine flu under the community health insurance scheme.

Chief Minister K. Rosaiah announced this after a high-level meeting held to review the situation arising out of the swine flu spread.

He said the private hospitals were directed to treat patients coming to them with swine flu symptoms and the government would reimburse the expenses to the hospitals.

The community health insurance scheme, Rajiv Arogyasri, provides healthcare facilities to poor families in corporate hospitals. Brainchild of Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, the chief minister who died in a helicopter crash earlier this month, the scheme already covers over 900 procedures.

Rosaiah said eight more swine flu treatment centres would be opened while six centres are already operating in the state capital. Swine flu testing facilities will also be provided at five hospitals in the city. A testing centre is already working at the Government Chest Hospital.

Rosaiah said there was no shortage of Tamiflu tablets for treatment of swine flu. “More than three lakh tablets are available and we will take all steps to ensure that there is no shortage of the same,” he said.

Two people died of swine flu here Sunday. A woman, who was undergoing treatment at a private hospital in L.B. Nagar died in the morning. The condition of four patients at the same hospital is also critical, said doctors.

Three swine flu deaths were reported Saturday - the highest number in a single day for the city.

Since Saturday, health authorities have swung into action to put preventive measures in place.

More swine flu cases are being confirmed from different parts of the state capital. According to health officials, total confirmed cases now stand at 256.

Hyderabad had reported India’s first swine flu case May 16. The first swine flu death here was reported Sep 2. Two people died on the same day while two more died Sep 5.

Meanwhile, a software engineer hailing from Hyderabad has died of swine flu in the US. According to delayed reports reaching the health department, A. Charan died Sep 1 in California. His body was brought here Sep 10 and was cremated the same day.

Swine flu has so far claimed 172 lives in India.