Officials try to hush up flu toll

Mangaloretoday/ DHNS

Bangalore, April 6, 2012: The actual number of deaths due to Influenza A (H1N1) in the State remains a mystery as health officials, including the health directorate and BBMP officials, are hesitant to divulge the information regarding the exact number of people who have succumbed to the dreaded disease.

 

The viral infection which is making its presence felt in the past three months has suddenly peaked with over 60 cases confirming positive to Influenza A ( H1N1) in the month of March alone.

According to BBMP’s chief health officer Dr Manjula, there have been nine deaths so far among which only two deaths pertain to BBMP areas. “We are aware about two deaths in the City, one in Deepak Hospital in Rajajinagar and another in Columbia Asia hospital. We are not responsible about those patients who are from outside Bangalore, arrive here for treatment and succumb to the disease,” she added.

However, Dr Manoranjan Hegde, BBMP’s nodal officer (communicable diseases) confirmed that there had been only four deaths so far including two in BBMP area and one each in Chikaballpur and Kolar.

The state health directorate, which needs to keep track on the situation, is unaware of the exact number of deaths. Dr Cheluvaraj, director of health and family welfare, said the health officer concerned should send the correct information including the case sheet of the patient. “Even if the person belongs to another place but dies in Bangalore due to the flu, it is still considered as death in Bangalore.  We did hold a meeting on Friday and discussed about the present situation of Influenza A (H1N1).

The health department has geared up, we have a stock on 3,20,000 Tamiflu tablets, the antiviral drug. The tablets are also available across the counter provided the customer produces a Schedule X prescription,” he added.