Swine flu: 19 die in Telangana, state seeks Centre's help

With 19 people succumbing to swine flu in Telangana so far this year, the state government today sought Centre's help and announced several measures to check the spread of the deadly virus.
Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Health Minister J P Nadda in the morning and requested them to send a team of officials to the state, among other things.
Rao reviewed the situation with government doctors, officials, and also private hospital managements and announced that a team of officials would monitor the situation in Hyderabad, and an IAS officer would act as nodal officer for every district.

Rao told reporters that 19 people had died due to the swine flu virus infection so far in the state and another 20-30 people are undergoing treatment.
He said that medicines had been made available, community hygiene would be taken care of and swine flu would be covered under the state's 'Arogya Sri' health insurance scheme for the poor.
The patients would be put in sterilised rooms and released after the completion of the medicine course, he said.

Homes of affected persons would be sterilised by the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation staff in Hyderabad.
"It is not an epidemic situation (in Telangana). It spreads from person to person. We have to prevent that," he said.

Asked why community hygiene was not addressed properly earlier, he said certain measures were taken and there would be "an integrated approach" from today.
"The health fraternity of Telangana is ready to fight this battle. Nothing to be worried," he assured.
The patients would be carried to Hyderabad free in the '108' emergency vehicles if needed, he said.