Family, neighbours of flu victim under observation The situation arising out of widespread cases of fever in the district continues to be grim with a 4-year-old girl dying of fever on Sunday night. Angel, daughter of Kandathil Veetil Lithosh of Thekkumkara panchayat near Wadakkanchery, died at the Thrissur Medical College. Though she was admitted to a private hospital in Wadakkanchery following fever on Sunday morning, she was discharged in the evening. But her condition aggravated by night and was rushed to the Thrissur Medical College, where she died. She was an LKG student of JMJ School, Athani. Meanwhile, the Health Department intensified preventive measures as a woman died of A H1N1 influenza in the district. Shahida, 49, wife of Minakulangara Parambil Habeeb of Vadukara, died at a private hospital on Sunday. The relatives and neighbours of the deceased are under the observation of the health department. The department has asked them to approach the hospital if they develop fever or any other symptoms of H1N1. They were cautioned against self medication. Meanwhile, many people have approached various hospitals with symptoms of H1N1. Their swabs have been sent for laboratory tests to Manipal, the health department sources said. Fever, cough and breathlessness are the main symptoms of H1N1 influenza. People with such symptoms should avoid travelling and must avoid contact with elderly persons, children and pregnant women, the doctors said. People with diabetes, heart diseases and asthma are at a greater risk, they said. The flu virus spreads when infected persons cough or sneeze. However, the health department officials said that medicines and arrangements for treating H1N1 influenza are available in all hospitals in the district and the people should not panic. Fever wards have been opened in hospitals and if H1N1 cases are recorded, special H1N1 wards would be opened, they said.