Balasubramanium was infected with the influenza during his tour to London.
The H1N1 cases in Udupi are on the rise in the coast once again this year and two persons from the district out of 6 have died of H1N1 since the last two months. Speaking to Deccan Herald, DHO Dr Ramachandra Bairy informed that as many as 119 cases have been diagnosed till date at KMC Manipal, of which 32 have died since its detection in 2009, he added. In 2009, as many as 29 H1N1 cases were detected, of which one succumbed to death. In the year 2010, about 81 cases were diagnosed at KMC Manipal, of which 25 died due to H1N1.
In 2011, till date as many as 9 cases have been diagnosed in the district, of which 6 have succumbed to death. Of the 9 cases, three belong to Udupi district, he added. Briefing the measures taken to prevent this airborne influenza Bairy said that the health department has taken preventive measures against the spread of the disease and also to treat the patients with the symptoms. Out of the two persons, who died of H1N1 in the district, one was from within Manipur Primary Health Centre jurisdiction in Udupi taluk and other from Hebri.
Out of two people from the same family from Hebri who developed symptoms of swine flu, one has recovered, while the other succumbed, Bairy informed.
He said that the department has convened three meetings of doctors and others to alert them towards the H1N1scare, and educate them about the measures to be taken to prevent the spread of the disease and treatment of the patients. He said that the medicine Tami flu syrup and tablets are in sufficient quantity in the district and have been supplied to all the primary health centers. He also added that the chances of getting infection goes up when many people come together from outside the district for attending functions.
Bairy said IEC (information, education and communication) activities have been taken up in schools and among people to create awareness over the influenza.