One more dies of swine flu in Tirupati

Tirupati,Oct 23: One more person died of Swine Flu in Madanapalli, near Tirupati in Chitoor district on Friday, taking the death toll due to the viral infection in the city to two, health officials said on Friday.The victim has been identified as Thimma Raju, a resident of Madanapalli, admitted to Ruia Hospital with serious condition and succumbed to viral infection while undergoing treatment.With this, in Andhra Pradesh, so far 45 people have succumbed to the contagious virus, the doctors said.However, Government Chest Hospital Superintendent, Hyderabad, S V Prasad stated that The numbers of H1N1 positive patients have come down from 60 to single digit number in the last fortnight.

He said that Swine Flu epidemic in the State capital and elsewhere is gradually getting contained going by the drop in number of cases and deaths reported for last few days.The fatalities due to H1N1 virus have also come down drastically, he added.The Authorities, however, requested public to be on alert, as the second phase of the H1N1 virus is becoming active in United States and Europe.“We have to continue taking preventive measures because the H1N1 virus can become virulent in the coming winter in the State. So we have to be prepared for the worst,” Mr. Prasad said.He suggested that the business community should come forward in containing the infection from spreading to others and ensure that timely treatment was given to the affected persons instead of depending on the government for help.