H1N1: Three more deaths

The deaths of Azra Kausar (35) and Sowbhagya (48) in Bangalore and Gowdappa Biradar (3) in Bijapur - were attributed to H1N1 Influenza on Friday.

Azra Kausar, a 35-year-old woman, was admitted to Sagar Hospital in the morning of August 25 but passed away three days later. Dr Mohan Reddy, Medical Director of the hospital, said that the patient came with pneumonitis and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). “We immediately admitted her to ICU and took the throat swab sample and dispatched it. We then administered Tamiflu dosage to her. However, her condition deteriorated,” he said.

The hospital received the results of the swab sample on Thursday evening. The patient, a resident of New Gurappanapalya, was referred from a private nursing home. The cause of the death has been reported as pneumonitis and ARDS.

Forty-eight-year old Sowbhagya HP succumbed to H1N1 Influenza at Suguna Hospital on Friday.  She also is a result of late admission. She was taken to the Hospital on August 23 after suffering with fever, cough and Cyanosis for seven days.  Sowbhagya had visited a private practioner at Shivanagar near West of Chord Road on August 15 where she first developed symptoms of H1N1 Flu.

Medical Director Dr Ravindra said that the patient had been to City Hospital before she was admitted in their Hospital. "Sowbhagya had bi-lateral pneumonia and she tested positive for H1N1 Flu.  She did not have any pre-existing illness, however she found diabetic", he said.Sowbhagya succumbed on August 26 and the cause for death was declared as ARDS.

Govt Reimbursement

The State government will reimburse Rs 2,000 for private hospitals for sending throat swab samples from suspected H1N1 patients and other medical expenses. According to an official press release, the bills will be reimbursed after being approved by the  joint director (communicable diseases), Department of Health and Family Welfare. For this purpose, the government has approved the withdrawal of Rs 50,000 per district by the respective DHOs and Rs 5 lakh in case of BBMP jurisdiction.