First H1N1 death in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram: The first swine flu death was reported in Kerala on August 11th night Tuesday. Wilson Lukose, a 33-year old man, hailing from Valia Veli was admitted to the KIMS Hospital a week ago after he complained of fever. The tests later proved that it was a case of H1N1 infection. Wilson was put on ventilator because of turned critical condition on Sunday.Wilson arrived Thiruvananthapuram by train from Chennai. He reached Chennai from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands-sources said. Wilson was admitted to a local hospital with fever. After the fever went up, he was referred to KIMS. When his condition worsened, the hospital informed the Health Department. Swab samples were collected on August 7 and sent to the National Institute of Communicable Diseases in New Delhi. The results came on Sunday shows it as positive. Wilson was also the first patient in the state tested positive for Swine Flu to be pronounced critical.So far, tests have confirmed that 55 people in Kerala have been infected with the H1N1 virus. A second critical case has been reported from a private hospital in Ernakulam district. The patient has been put on ventilator. In the pretext of this Government decided to start screening centres in all districts. Central Health Cirector also visited the state capital on August 12th 2009. He said that there is no need of panic and said to take the medicine at time. Kerala is now under high alert because of the death. State level meeting of health officers by P K sreemathi and Video conferencing with DMOs were also conducted.