Swine Flu Death Toll Reaches 832 In India

By M. Santhiran NEW DELHI, Feb 24 (Bernama) -- India recorded 20 more swine flu (H1N1) deaths Monday, bringing to 832 the total number of deaths since the outbreak of the disease in mid-December last year, with confirmed cases crossing 14,000. Health authorities here reported that on Sunday alone, the death toll was 38 in a single day, and authorities in the capital and other major cities were stepping up efforts to contain the deadly disease by designating more hospitals and laboratories for blood screening. Other than Delhi, major states badly hit were Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Gujerat and the southern state of Telangana. The worst-hit state so far is Rajasthan, which had more than 4,000 confirmed cases, with 200 deaths. Symptoms of swine flu are similar to common flu, with cough, fever, sore throat, body aches and fatigue. Social activists and political parties have blamed the central government which, they allege, had failed to take the necessary measures to handle the health crisis. They blamed the authorities, especially in Delhi, saying they were distracted by the recent visit to India of United States president Barack Obama and Delhi legislative elections two week ago. Only in the last few days were there more visible media campaigns via TV stations and billboards to educate and warn the public, and more and more people on the streets seen moving around with face masks. A check with pharmacies revealed that a box of the standard mask of 50, sold over the counter for 300 rupees (US$5) earlier, now cost 600 to 700 rupees (US$9 to US$11). The outbreak also prompted the health authorities here to fix charges for blood screening at 4,800 rupees (about US$77), with some private labs charging almost double that amount. Hindustan Times quoted Drug Controller General of India Dr G. N. Singh as saying that all states had been directed to ensure there was no shortage of drugs and vaccines. Last year, India had 937 swine flu cases, with 218 deaths. -- BERNAMA