Both had travelled recently, say officials

Two persons from the Nilgiris have died of swine flu in the past 10 days.

On Monday, Abdul Rahman, 43, a deputy tahsildar working with the Nilgiris district administration, died at the Coimbatore Medical College and Hospital (CMCH) after contracting the H1N1 virus.

Speaking to The Hindu, Dr. S. Porkudi, Deputy Director of Health Services, Nilgiris district, said that 10 days ago, a 60-year-old woman from Melur in Coonoor died from congestive cardiac failure. “After running tests, it became clear that she had contracted swine flu,” Dr. Porkudi said.

A few days ago, the deputy tahsildar contracted swine flu and was admitted to the CMCH, where he died.

“Both the woman and the government official had travel histories,” she said.

The family members of the Melur resident as well as the government staff at the tahslidar’s office have all tested negative for the virus, officials said.

The H1N1 virus poses a risk particularly to “vulnerable groups”, such as senior citizens, young children, pregnant mothers and those with underlying medical issues. People exhibiting symptoms of the virus should seek immediate medical help at Primary Health Centres and government hospitals, officials said.