Swine flu continues to play havoc in Telangana as the death toll mounted to 32 with the virus claiming 8 more lives. Four of them died in different hospitals in Hyderabad on Wednesday while four others had died last week.
In another alarming indication that the virus was still virulent, as many as 12 junior doctors of Osmania General Hospital were also found infected with swine flu. According to the hospital sources, authorities asked all of them to stay at home and get the medical treatment. Earlier, three doctors of the same hospital were also found infected with the virus.
Hospital officials said that the doctors were granted five days leave for undergoing treatment. Dr Narendarnath, director Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad said that of the 57 cases tested on Wednesday, 22 were found positive and they were being treated at different hospitals in Hyderabad including Gandhi and Osmania. Separate wards were provided for the swine flu cases in the State capital. While 12 patients were under treatment at Osmania, another 43 cases including ten children were being treated at Gandhi hospital. However, it was not clear how many suspected cases of swine flu were admitted in private hospitals.
Concerned over continuing spread of the virus, Telangana Health Minister lakshma Reddy visited Osmania Hospital on Thursday. Apart from talking to the swine flu patients, the Minister also enquired about the condition of junior doctors suffering from the flu.
Meanwhile, 24 people were also affected in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh. The State Health Minister K Srinvas said that most of the cases were reported from Visakhpatanam and Anantapur districts. He said that a Central team was preparing to visit Andhra Pradesh to assess the situation.