Another woman dies of swine flu in Andhra

HYDERABAD - Another pregnant woman died of swine flu in Andhra Pradesh Wednesday, taking the toll to 18 since June this year.

The woman died at King George Hospital in coastal city of Visakhapatanam. She was undergoing treatment at the hospital for the last few days and was from Araku valley, doctors said.

Two women have died of the virus in as many days. Nine of the 18 dead so far have been pregnant women. This is the fourth death due to swine flu in Visakhapatnam during the last one-and-half months.

The latest death was reported a day after a woman died in Hyderabad. Asma Begum, 38, a resident of old city of Hyderabad, died at the Gandhi Hospital.

Ten fresh cases of swine flu were also reported in the state Tuesday. Eight of them were women. Five of the fresh cases were reported in the state capital.

According to K. Subhakar, the state nodal officer for swine flu, the number of swine flu cases this year had gone up to 177. As many as 167 cases were reported since June 1.

The health authorities are concerned over rapid spread of swine flu in Hyderabad, its suburbs and in north coastal Andhra.

Subhakar said the virus could spread rapidly during monsoon and winter. He, however, assured people that there was no need for panic.

The health officials claimed that all precautionary measures were being taken to check the spread of the virus.

Concerned over the spurt in swine flu cases, Chief Minister K. Rosaiah has directed the officials to make sufficient stocks of medicines available all over the state, particularly in district hospitals and primary health centres.

However, the chief minister called upon the people not to panic and contact the nearest hospital or doctor in case of swine flu symptoms.

As many as 54 people died of swine flu in the state last year. Nearly 800 cases were reported.

The first swine flu case in India was detected at Hyderabad airport May 16 last year. Most of the deaths were reported in September-October.