Woman dies of swine flu in Hyderabad

Hyderabad, Jan 10 (IANS) One more person died of swine flu in Telangana, taking the death toll to six since August 2016, a health official said.

A 35-year-old woman died at government-run Gandhi Hospital here. The woman from Yadadri district, who was admitted to the hospital a few days ago, died on Sunday but this was confirmed by the authorities on Tuesday.

According to health officials, a total of 2,762 samples were tested from August 1, 2016 to January 7. Out of these, 112 samples were found positive.

The maximum number of cases (50) were reported from Ranga Reddy district while Hyderabad accounted for 40 cases.

Doctors said since the winter season might continue for another month, people should take all precautions.

The health department has advised people to approach the hospital at the first symptoms of swine flu like high fever, sneezing, cough and body pain.

It asked hospitals to isolate people having symptoms of swine flu and send their samples to Institute of Preventive Medicine (IPM).

If patients are unwilling to get admitted to private hospitals, they have been asked to shift them to Gandhi Hospital, which is the nodal centre for swine flu for the entire state.

Officials said that sufficient stock of medicines was available at all teaching hospitals, district and area hospitals.

"There are enough testing kits and kits for Viral Transport Medium (VTM). IPM is also providing free testing services to all in-patients from private hospitals," said an official statement.

Homeopathic medicines can also be taken as a precautionary measure. These medicines were available free of cost in government homeopathic hospitals, Ramanthapur in Hyderabad and at all AYUSH dispensaries.