Swine flu: 91 dead across country this year, Rajasthan worst hit

New Delhi: Swine flu has re-emerged in India and cases are rising across the country, with Rajasthan being the worst hit state so far. However, health authorities have said there's no reason to panic. As many as 246 people have tested positive for H1 N1 and 54 people have lost their lives in Rajasthan due to swine flu, according to the Health Ministry.

"We have set up isolation wards and health officials are going to villages and cities and screening for influenza like illness," said Dr Arvind Mathur, principal, SM Medical College, Jodhpur.

Meanwhile, Punjab has recorded 47 cases and nine swine flu related deaths while Haryana has seen 38 cases and 13 deaths.

Dr Mukhmohit Singh, head of Chandigarh Health Department, said, "We are going to homes of all the patients getting tested positive and giving prophyliaxis treatment to the family members."

There have been more than 456 cases all over the country and 91 deaths since January 1, 2013. Gujarat has reported 30 cases and six deaths, and Maharashtra has reported 24 cases and 4 deaths, while Andhra Pradesh, Karantaka and Kerala have also reported cases.

The national capital has already recorded 57 cases and three deaths. According to Delhi Health Minister AK Walia, 24 government and five private hospitals have been earmarked to deal with swine flu patients.

"One is from Ghaziabad, two are in ICU and two are in isolated ward. Out of the two who are in isolated ward, one of them is a 5-year-old child," said Dr HK Khar of Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital.

According to doctors, it's the elderly, children, pregnant women and people with underlying health conditions like diabetes who are most at risk. Therefore, one must not ignore symptoms, and if there is any breathing difficulty, one must consult a doctor immediately.

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