Two more die,swine flu death toll six in Himachal

Dr Vinod Mehta,surveillance officer of the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme,Himachal,said one more sample was collected in Hamirpur on Wednesday and had been sent for tests. He reiterated the health department’s appeal to the people to take precautions for any flu-like symptom during the winter months and timely medical consultation.

As many as 21 people have tested positive for the H1N1 virus in the state till now and barring the six who died all have recovered well.

The government has directed the health department to ensure that all hoteliers of the state display the swine flu toll free number 18001808004 on their premises. Separate guidelines to this effect will be issued shortly. Principal Secretary,Health,P C Dhiman said this while interacting with chief medical officers,district ayurveda officers and members of rapid response teams of all districts through video-conferencing.

Another case of swine flu was detected in the tourist town of Manali. Umesh (32),a resident of Rangri and local trader,has tested positive for H1N1 after remaining admitted in a private hospital since December 5 with the normal complaint of cough and cold. It is learnt that the patient had visited Delhi last month.

(With inputs from Manali)