Another suspected swine flu death in Tamil Nadu

Barely a day after a four year-old boy B. Sanjay had died of swine-flu, a 29-year-old woman of Chennai, who died at the Government General Hospital in Chennai, is "suspected" to be a victim of the H1N1 influenza virus.

Barely a day after a four year-old boy B. Sanjay had died of swine-flu, a 29-year-old woman of Chennai, who died at the Government General Hospital in Chennai, is "suspected" to be a victim of the H1N1 influenza virus.

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Deena, of Adyar area in the city, who was suffering from high fever a few days back was first admitted to a private hospital in the city and then taken to the Government Institute for Communicable Disease Hospital in north Chennai on Sunday.

At the ICDH, Deena threw up symptoms of swine-flu and her blood and throat swab samples were sent for testing, official sources said late this evening. However, Deena complained of breathlessness last night and was immediately shifted to the Government General Hospital (GH) last night.

According to the GH's Resident Medical Officer, who did not wish his name to be quoted, Deena was put on life support system last night even as the results of the Swine flu test were awaited. But the patient died late last night at the GH itself.

However, when the Swine-flu test results were received this morning, Deena "tested negative" for the disease, the RMO said, adding, the patient died due to "heavy congestion in the lung, leading to a massive heart attack."

Though the RMO said Deena had tested "negative" for swine-flu, sections of the media in Chennai termed it as the second fatal case in Tamil Nadu on Tuesday.