Eight more succumb to swine flu in Rajasthan, toll climbs to 81

JAIPUR: Eight more persons have succumbed to swine flu in parts of Rajasthan in the last 48 hours as the toll climbed to 81 this year, an official of the state medical and health directorate (MHD) said today.

Out of the 750 people tested positive for the H1N1 virus, 81 have died in the state from January 1 to February 7, he said.

BJP MLA Dharampal Choudhary was tested positive for the virus in Alwar yesterday, Chief Medical and Health Officer Alwar, R K Meena told PTI on telephone.

Choudhary was shifted to his MLA house in the city where he will be given treatment, he said.

After former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and Home Minister G C Kataria, Choudhary became the third legislator to be afflicted with the virus in the last fortnight.

Out of 33 districts in Rajasthan, 29 are affected with swine flu. Dholpur, Hanumangarh, Sirohi and Baran were reported to be safe as per the Medical and Health Directorate (MHD) records, the MHD official said.

So far, Ajmer has recorded the maximum number of deaths due to swine flu with a toll of 19, followed by Jaipur 18, Nagaur 6, Barmer 5, Banswara 4, Tonk, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Kota, Chittorgarh 3 each, Bhilwara, Dausa, Pali, Bundi, Udaipur 2 each, and Srigananagar, Jaisalmer, Alwar, and Dungarpur one each since January this year.

Thirty-nine swine flu patients are undergoing treatment at SMS hospital here, out of which 14 have been shifted to the ICU.

Health Minister R S Rathore and Special Coordinator Dr Ashok Pangaria have been monitoring the status of swine flu in the state along with the senior officers of MHD, the official said.