Viral infection claims lives of 2 NRI school girls in UAE in 2 weeks

coastaldigest.com web desk
November 15, 2018

Dubai, Nov 15: The death of two NRI students in two weeks due to flu-related complications has triggered panic among people in United Arab Emirates. Several schools in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah have asked the parents not to send their children to school if they are sick.

Ameena Sharaf (9), a grade 4 student of Our Own Indian High School, breathed her last on October 29, due to an acute viral infection, possibly flu. Aliya Niyaz Ali (17), a Grade 12 student of Indian High School Dubai died on November 13 due to similar complications.

Amreena was first admitted to a leading hospital in Bur Dubai on October 22 and shifted to the Al Jalila Children’s Hospital (AJCH) on October 24 as the infection had affected her heart. She was being treated for nausea, vomiting, fever and fatigue but the virus had affected her heart and she succumbed to her condition. Ameena is survived by three other siblings.

Aliya had attended the school until November 12 in spite of suffering from fever. She was admitted to Rashid Hospital on November 13 and passed away by night.

Aliya was first taken to Dr Joseph’s Polyclinic on November 9 with symptoms of flu. Dr Mohammad Koya, general physician, who initially treated her, said: “The patient first came to me on November 9 with mild fever and rhinitis. I prescribed her paracetamol and antihistamines.”

He added: “The patient reported again on November 13 with severe chest and upper abdomen pain. I suspected viral myocarditis and referred her to Rashid Hospital.”

Her funeral took place at Al Qouz cemetery on November 14 morning and was attended by family members, friends and the school officials.

“Guys, with great sorrow and regret, we’re informing you about the death of a fellow batch mate from the girls section, supposedly caused due to flu,” stated a message circulated by the school’s student council to parents. It also advised them to keep children safe by giving them the flu vaccine, making them wash hands, and wear face masks in crowded areas.

Flu-related deaths

Flu-related deaths are not entirely uncommon and are a major issue across the globe. According to 2018 statistics made available on the World Health Organisation (WHO) website, every year, influenza (the virus that causes flu symptoms) annual epidemics are estimated to result in about 3 to 5 million cases of severe illness, and about 290,000 to 650,000 respiratory deaths across the globe.

The report added: "The effects of seasonal influenza epidemics in developing countries are not fully known, but research estimates that 99 per cent of deaths in children under five years of age with influenza-related lower respiratory tract infections are found in developing countries."

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Mumthaz
 - 
Thursday, 15 Nov 2018

Very sad news. let thr soul rest in piece

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News Network
April 13,2024

Mangaluru, Apr 13: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to campaign for the upcoming and much awaited Lok Sabha election in coastal Karnataka by holding a mega roadshow in Mangaluru. 

Meanwhile, the organisers have announced a slight delay in the commencement of Modi's scheduled roadshow on April 14 in Mangaluru.

Addressing the media BJP principal secretary and Karnataka MLA V Sunil Kumar said: Originally the roadshow was scheduled to begin at 5 pm., but it will start at 7:30 pm."

As planned, the Roadshow will kick off from Narayan Guru Circle, where Prime Minister Modi will pay floral tribute to Sri Narayan Guru idol. From there, the Roadshow will proceed and conclude at Navabharat Circle. 

Mr Kumar urged people traveling to Mangaluru to see Mr Modi's visit by 7 p.m. and stand behind the barricades. The roadshow is estimated to conclude at 8:30 pm.

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News Network
April 11,2024

vivekhebbar.jpg

BJP MLA Arabail Shivaram Hebbar’s son Vivek Hebbar on Thursday, 11 April, joined the Congress party along with his supporters at Banavasi in Uttara Kannada district.

After quitting the BJP, Vivek Hebbar joined the party in the presence of state Congress vice president and former MLC Ivan D’Souza and other local party leaders.

Speculations have been rife about his father Shivaram Hebbar, an MLA from the Yellapur Assembly segment, also planning to join the Congress, ever since he did not turn up for voting during the polls to four seats of the Rajya Sabha from Karnataka held on 27 February.

The senior Hebbar’s absence from voting, despite a party whip, had caused embarrassment to the BJP. He had, however, later attributed his absence to poor health.

The BJP had also issued notice to him, which he responded to.

Shivaram Hebbar had recently met Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress chief DK Shivakumar but claimed that the meeting was about water issues in his Assembly segment.

The senior BJP leader was earlier with the Congress. He was among 17 Congress-JD(S) legislators, who had quit from their parties, which ultimately led to the collapse of the then HD Kumaraswamy-led coalition government in July 2019.

Shivaram Hebbar had subsequently won the by-poll on a BJP ticket and served as a minister in the then government of the saffron party.

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News Network
April 13,2024

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Mangaluru: After as the state health ministry issued guidelines to the public in view of a heatwave, the health department in Dakshina Kannada has advised people to be cautious about the impact of heatstroke, including heat rash, heat edema, heat cramps, heat tetany, heat syncope, and heat exhaustion.

Dakshina Kannada district nodal officer for climate change, Dr Naveenchandra Kulal, said that the impact of heat-related illness can also be found in the district, when there is a variation of about 4.5⁰C from the normal temperature.

Dr Kulal told media persons here on Friday, that the impact of heat-related illness is not confined to Raichur, Kalaburagi, and other North Karnataka districts.

“Those who reside inside tin sheet houses and closed environments are likely to suffer from heatstroke. People should hydrate themselves by drinking more water and avoid working under the direct Sun. Heat exhaust fans can be used. Though no heatstroke cases have been reported in the district, any negligence may cause heatstroke,” he said. 

DHO Dr Thimmaiah HR said that hotels and restaurants should supply boiled water, and they should clean the overhead tanks once every three months. The filter of drinking water units should be cleaned frequently, he said.

He also directed paying guest accommodations to supply fresh food to inmates.

“We have received complaints of many paying guest accommodations serving sambar cooked the previous day to inmates. Stale food should be avoided, as there are chances of food contamination. Plastics should be avoided while packing food in hotels. As per the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) guidelines, the use of plastic to pack hot food is restricted,” the DHO said.

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