Swine flu claims 2 more lives in Rajasthan, death toll reaches 27

JAIPUR: Two people, including a 72-year-old woman, succumbed to swine flu at the SMS hospital here today, taking the death toll due to the deadly disease in Rajasthan to 27 this year.

Hasina Banopur from Jaipur and Pannalal (36) of Nagaur succumbed to the H1N1 virus, a medical and health department (MHD) official said PTI.

Of the 27 deaths due to swine flu in Rajasthan since January 1, nine persons were from Jaipur, three each from Nagaur and Jodhpur, two each from Tonk, Banswara, Kota, Barmer, and one each from Dausa, Bundi, Ajmer, and Bikaner.

This death figure included 14 females and 13 males, according to the statistics available with the MHD.

Fifteen patients died in state-run hospitals, while 12 in private hospitals, the official said.

The dreaded disease afflicted and proved fatal in the age group of 26 to 50 years as 18 out of 27 deaths were in this age group. A 10-year-old boy of Nagaur also succumbed to the disease at a hospital here yesterday.

The Medical and Health Minister R S Rathor held a high- level meeting with the state medical officers, directing them to strengthen precautionary and preventive measures in all medical hospitals and colleges, an official said.