Karwar:  In a span of five months, six people from Uttar-Kannada were reported dead due to H1N1 influenza in Uttara Kannada district. After the monsoon began, many people in the district are suffering from influenza and are getting medical attention in various hospitals.

Some of them have also been admitted to private hospitals of neighbouring districts. In last two months, four people died in Bhatkal and Sirsi taluks. Many people are tested positive for H1N1 influenza and there are many others in the district who have symptoms of the influenza. According to health department officials, 22 cases of H1N1 have been registered in Uttara Kannada district and most of the patients belong to Bhatkal, Honnavar and Siddapur taluks.

“In addition to this, the number of dengue cases are also on the rise in the district especially in coastal taluks. Nearly 25 dengue cases have been detected in the district, but luckily there are no deaths. Out of 25 cases, eight cases were detected in Bhatkal taluk alone,” said an official.

District health officer Ashok Kumar said: “In the last two months, the number of H1N1 cases have increased. Since March, six people died in the district due to H1N1. Interestingly children and old people who were suffering from H1N1 were cured while the six people who died were middle-aged. This week, we visited Mavinakurva of Bhatkal taluk, where a woman died of H1N1 about two days back. Her family members including children are going well and they do not have any symptoms.”

The administration is taking all the necessary steps to ensure that people with symptoms of H1N1 and dengue are treated at the earliest.

“To control diseases like H1N1 and dengue, our Health department has been organising many programmes in schools and villages. Health department staff and Asha workers have been educating people on how to prevent mosquito breeding. We are also distributing pamphlets in villages,” he added.