THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Despite State health department’s precautionary measures and instructions for being alert to keep H1B1 deaths at bay, the deaths on this account are alarmingly increase.

With the demise of a four-year-old due to H1N1, the number of deaths due to the disease has risen to 38.

Out of the 4,​852,​394 people down with fever, H1N1 was confirmed in 768 persons.

According to health department, there is sufficient stock of medicines in government as well as private hospitals. The department has also issued ABC guidelines to hospitals to identify the disease.

Spread of the disease in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu is also said to be a reason for break out of disease in Kerala. Air and water can be carriers of the disease.

The disease mostly affects respiratory system.

Lab tests for the disease are available in Virology institute in Manipal/Alappuzha or RGCB in Thiruvananthapuram.

The health department has also started Help line named Disha. They can call 0471 2552056. 1056. More details are available on ww.dhs.kerala.gov.in

Besides taking protein-rich food, rest is an important thing for getting over the disease. The patient should take rice gruel also added with salt and lemon juice.