Following the death of a resident of S. Kaikatty in Kotagiri from A(H1N1) influenza on Saturday, the Health Department began screening locals for the virus on Sunday.
Hiriyan Ravi, medical superintendent of the government headquarters hospital in Udhagamandalam, said that M. Mohammed Rafeeq had complained of cough and had visited a traditional medical practitioner for treatment. When his condition worsened, he went to a local doctor and was then referred to a private hospital in Coimbatore. There, he was admitted in the intensive care unit and died on Saturday.
Following the death, officials from the Health Department visited Rafeeq’s house on Sunday, and tested all family members and local villagers. “We also conducted awareness camps for the residents, sensitising them to the measures they need to take, such as washing their hands regularly,” said Mr. Ravi. The department was also monitoring the health of residents near S. Kaikatty to ensure that anyone who could possibly have contracted the virus were treated early, he said.
