Swine flu claims two lives in Hyderabad

Hyderabad, Jan 22: Swine flu has claimed two more lives in Hyderabad while a central health team arrived Thursday to take stock of the situation, an official said. Two women, aged 55 and 56, died at two government-run hospitals here late Wednesday, taking the toll to 21. Officials said a total of 247 swine flu cases were reported so far in the state. Five people were discharged from Gandhi Hospital here but two others were tested positive. As many as 35 swine flu patients are undergoing treatment at the hospital while blood samples of 20 others were sent to Institute of Preventive Medicine (IPM) for H1N1 test. Two patients were tested positive at Osmania General Hospital and they include a 24-year-old surgeon. Three junior doctors at Gandhi Hospital were also tested positive two days ago. Alarmed over the mounting cases, the Telangana state government has declared an all out war to control the spread of the virus. Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao Wednesday spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and union Health Minister J.P. Nadda, who promised all assistance.