10 die of H1N1, lepto in two weeks

H1N1 and leptospirosis have each claimed five lives in the state this past fortnight even as the two ailments together afflicted at least 29 more people, including those dead, in the same period, an update from the state's Health and Family Welfare Department (H&FW) said Monday.

However, the number of deaths caused by the two diseases so far this year has been starkly lower than previous years, although H1N1 appears to be more virulent this year than 2011, when three persons died after contracting the virus. Nevertheless, 2012's toll of 19 so far is markedly below 2009's 117 fatalities and 2010's 353.

As winter approaches and brings with it the likelihood of the H1N1 flu virus spreading, the H&FW has called for district-level meetings of members of the Indian Medical Association as a preparatory measure, an official from the department's epidemiology division said.

Leptospirosis, which spreads via water contaminated with the urine of cattle and rodents, has meanwhile claimed 26 lives this year, which is low compared to 2010's 122 deaths and 2011's 177 by corresponding dates in those years.

While leptospirosis has this year been confined to six southern districts and the Surat Municipal Corporation limits, H1N1 cases has been located in most parts of the state.

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