Gummidipoondi cases not swine flu: Officials

Talking to DTNext, Dr K Kolandaisamy, director, Public Health and Preventive Medicine said that those admitted to ICH and Government Stanley Medical College Hospital are stable. 

“However, we cannot confirm if it is swine flu, as we are awaiting lab reports. We haven’t diagnosed any new infection in the area, where the ill were living. Three other people undergoing treatment at the village are stable too,” he added. 

On Monday, two of the patients brought in for treatment from Gummidipoondi in Tiruvallur, had died at Stanley hospital, while a third person died on Tuesday morning. Now, 10 are receiving treatment at Stanley hospital while nine children are being treated at ICH. 

Belonging to the Irula community, they were living in extremely poor and isolated conditions. Their illness came to light when a village health nurse conducted a routine health check up in the area. Dr S Srinivasan from the ICH said that the children aged between one and five years were malnourished. 

“We found pneumonia-like symptoms in these children. They are undergoing treatment and are being given nutritious food as well. They are extremely malnourished, which is also a reason for the severity of the illness. They have been advised a diet comprising a porridge made of cereals, pulses and protein, prepared at ICH using Bengal gram, ragi and jaggery. 

We have taken culture samples today and have sent them to King Institute, Guindy for tests. The results will confirm the exact type of infection.”

The Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) on Wednesday demanded the state Health Department to prevent deaths due to swine flu in Gummidipoondi in Thiruvallur district. In a statement, Anbumani Ramadoss, MP, said that “A total of 15 patients of Gummidipoondi have contracted mysterious fever and have been hospitalized in Chennai. It is also shocking that the fever claimed three lives in the last two days alone.” Though the health officials did not find out the cause, it appeared though the patients had H1N1 symptoms, he said. “The deaths could have been averted had the health officials undertaken containing measures. To add fuel to the fire, the Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Pudhugummidipoondi has been shut for many years and the government hospital has shortage of staff,” he said.