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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coastaldigest.com news network
January 28,2020

Mangaluru, Jan 28: Amidst nationwide agitation by ‘We, the People of India’ against contentious CAA, NRC, the women of Manglauru have decided to hold satyagrah and form a human chain in front of the office of the Deputy Commissioner in the heart of the city on January 30.

This was announced in a press conference today by activists Sajida Momin, Vidya Dinker, Terry Pais, Maria Ferandes and Suhasini Babbukatte.

The event will mark the 73rd anniversary of the martyrdom of the original Satyagrahi Mahatma Gandhi, who was assassinated by saffronite terrorist Nathuram Godse.

Ms Momin told media persons that the Satyagrah will commence at 10 a.m. to safeguard the constitution. At 4:30 p.m. a human chain will be formed.

“At 5.17p.m. when the father of the nation was gunned down 72 years ago during his evening prayer at Birla House by Godse, we will convey Gandhi’s message of unity against violence,” she said.

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coastaldigest.com news network
May 22,2020

Mangaluru, May 22: Following requests from Kannadiga entrepreneurs in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and persistant efforts of former deputy chairperson of the NRI Forum of Karnataka government Dr Arathi Krishna, the government of India has finally approved the repatriation of stranded Indian expatriate workers amidst prolonged covid-19 lockdown through chartered flights arranged by their employing companies particularly in Gulf region and elsewhere. 

The government has also issued a Standard Operation Protocol (SOP) to be followed to be followed by those who hire the flights. The government's nod will not only allow repatriation of larger number of citizens, who are on wait-lists, but also allows private airlines to get their aircraft, crew, and operational staff actively working again in preparation for resumption of scheduled flights. 

Zakaria Jokatte, CEO of Al-Muzain Est. and K S Sheik, Director of Operations at Expertise Contracting Co. Ltd - both Mangalurean entrepreneurs in Saudi Arabia - were among those who had sought permission to hire chartered flights for the immediate repatriation of their hundreds of employees. 

The NRI entrepreneurs in Gulf have thanked Dr Arathi Krishna for continuously persuading the authorities concerned to issue green signal for the operation of chartered flight at a time when there were only a few scheduled flights under Vande Bharat Mission. 

Welcoming the move Dr Arathi Krishna told coastaldigst.com that Indians stranded in any foreign country can utilize this facility. "Initially, I was approached by Mr Zakaria and Mr Sheik who wanted chartered flights to help their employees fly back to India. I asked them to write to the Indian Ambassador in Saudi Araia Mr Ausaf Sayeed. Then I requested the ambassador to forward the request to Joint Secretary Dr Nagendra Prasad, who is in charge of gulf division in the Ministry of External Affairs, and then to Secretary on charge of Gulf and then I requested Secretary of Economic Relations Mr T S Tirumurti who was also in charge of Gulf to follow this up," she said. 

"There were similar requests for chartered flights from African countries too. Then I persisted officers constantly to take it up to the Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla and Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and now all the people requesting this from Saudi Arabia have got confirmation from the ministry and communicated by embassy to those who had requested for the chartered flights," she said.

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coastaldigest.com news network
June 29,2020

Mangaluru, June 29: An elderly man, who was under quarantine at a lodge was inhumanly dragged on the floor and abandoned on the roadside by his own son. 

The shocking incident occurred in broad daylight at Deralakatte on the outskirts of the city today. 

The father and son are said to be natives of Uppala in Kasaragod district. The duo stayed in a hotel room at Deralakatte after returning from Mumbai a few days ago. 

Today the son dragged his father mercilessly on the floor and escaped after abandoning him on the road side. A CCTV camera has captured the incident. 

The jurisdictional Konaje police are trying trace the miscreant.

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