Swine flu toll rises to 16 in Andhra

HYDERABAD - Three more people died of influenza A (H1N1) virus in Andhra Pradesh, taking the swine flu toll to 16 in the state, a health official said Wednesday.

Two women died in the government-run Gandhi Hospital while a man succumbed at a private hospital here.

Health authorities are concerned over the virulent form of H1N1 and have launched measures on war footing to check the spread of the flu.

Rejecting the opposition’s demand to declare a health emergency, Chief Minister K. Rosaiah said: “We are attentive and have taken all necessary steps to control swine flu.”

Rosaiah recalled that the first meeting he held after taking over as chief minister was on swine flu.

As many as 12 people have died of swine flu during last four days. A total of 319 people were found infected by H1N1.

The state government has already warned private hospitals of stringent action under the Public Health Act if they refuse treatment or guidance to suspected swine flu patients.

Health principal secretary L.V. Subrahmanyam said all necessary steps were being taken to check the spread of the disease. He said though the first swine flu case in India was detected at the airport here on May 16, no deaths were reported till Sep 2.

“The second wave of swine flu is more virulent and hence the deaths have occurred. Experts told us that some patients were turning critical within 24 hours of developing swine flu symptoms. This is severe in those who already have health problems,” he said.